Page 25 - Kol Bogrei Habonim - June 13

Dear Editor
Tribute to Denis Shifrin
Since the first issue of the Iton in 1994, published
to mark the 65th Anniversary of the establishment
of Habonim, Denis has, in his own words "acted
as one of the chief advisors to the various editors,
editor, illustrator, designer, writer, information
gatherer, proof-reader, press-man, and other
sundry occupations."
Joining Liverpool Habonim at the age of 8 in
1935, Denis followed the "Movement Route" of
Hachshara, Art School, three years Movement
Work, marriage to Gussie and Aliya to Mansura
(Kfar Hanassi) in 1949. Leaving the Kibbutz in
1951, over the years, Denis became a well-known
and much-admired figure in the printing,
advertising and the publishing sector of Israel,
illustrating children’s' books, producing political
cartoons and comic strips for newspapers of that
time, lecturing to University courses on printing
techniques, creativity and visual perception, and
much more.
In recent years, as Yoel's right hand man, his
contribution to the Iton Bogrei Habonim was
immeasurable. As I wrote to Denis on hearing of
his resignation, "the spirit of the Iton was part of
you and your illustrations, cartoons, designs and
many other aspects. Unless Harold gets a smart
and knowledgeable artist such as you were, he
will find it hard going!"
Denis has stated that that time has come for a
younger (!!) member to take over, to breathe new
and fresh life into the Iton. Be that as it may, his
expertise and contributions will be missed by the
next generations of Editors.
Asher Tarmon
MIKHMORET
25
The Different Generations of Bogrei Habonim
If I were a rich man, I would retain the services of
an experienced, insightful, sociologist to study the
lives and experiences of Bogrei Habonim from
1929 to 1979. The study would focus on
comparing bogrim from the first 25 years (1929-
1954) with bogrim from the second 25 years
(1954-1979). As well as comparing their lives and
experiences, I would want the study to address
what influenced them and what motivated them as
they made life-changing decisions. What
differences would we find?
As someone belonging to the second group I have
a lot of admiration for the first group as I read
about their experiences and achievements through
the pages of the Iton. There can be no doubt
regarding their pioneering credentials, with the
creation of a new movement, the establishment of
new kibbutzim, the involvement in Aliyah Bet (to
name a few) all with the background of World
War ll, the Holocaust and the creation of the State
of Israel.
As can be seen from the Master Builder articles,
the contributions of the second generation are also
significant and varied, but they tend to be more
individual rather than group-oriented.
The experiences of the first generation appear to
have created a strong common bond that is
demonstrated through their high interest level and
involvement in Irgun Bogrei Habonim. It appears
that this is not happening with the second
generation. Will the focus of IBH and the contents
of the Iton need to change to attract the second
generation or will IBH gradually cease to exist
because there will be no hand waiting to accept
the baton from the first generation? (Please excuse
the sports analogy).
(Willi) Les Kelman
GLASGOW/KIRYAT BIALIK/TORONTO