Page 16 - Kol Bogrei Habonim - September 15
P. 16
IBH: TO BE OR NOT TO BE
MOSHE ADMON, MEVASSERET ZIYYON
T Of course this is easier said than done! It will
hough my usual response to invitations
to participate in the annual reunion of
also inevitably raise some controversy about
Irgun Bogrei Habonim is completely
negative I allowed myself this year to be which fields of activity to get involved in and
how.
persuaded to attend. My expectations, both
positive and negative, were completely fulfilled, I would not recommend political action because
for good and for bad it would be difficult to find common ground to
base such involvement, but rather to tackle
I came only for the afternoon and evening and I issues in, for instance, education, engagement
was pleasantly surprised to find that I enjoyed with environmental problems, or any other
my visit very much. I enjoyed meeting people contribution to the social welfare in the country.
who I don’t see very often and also those who I
do see more regularly. This is not the first time I have raised this
suggestion and I have to admit that I am wary of
The programme was varied and interesting in the the story of the sergeant major who asked his
main and the inclusion of Michael Oren added a soldiers who was interested in music!! The one
degree of class and sparkle. He is a very who said yes was “volunteered” to move the
accomplished and persuasive speaker. Even the piano. In other words this doesn’t mean I have
food was more than satisfactory. Clive and plans to initiate and organize a programme of
Debbie rounded off the day on the right note (as social involvement for all vatikei Habonim. But
it were). So as far as my limited participation is this is a serious suggestion to be considered by
concerned this was a completely enjoyable all involved.
experience. Thank you to all involved in the
creation of this event. I might be wrong but there appears to be a
growing feeling that we have to go beyond
However, my reservations about the whole pleasant social interaction. Yes, let’s meet our
organization were not allayed. It would seem need for nostalgia, but let us find something
that the main, if not the sole purpose of Irgun more meaningful and maybe rewarding.
Bogrei Habonim, is to indulge in nostalgia. This
no doubt meets a need for many people and Another approach to this whole issue is to
probably should not be dismissed as merely a consider whether we actually want this
waste of time. organization to continue. I take my hat off to all
those who made the effort to create and foster
All this considered, I for one, feel very strongly Irgun Bogrei Habonim over the years and have
that this is a serious contradiction of the values certainly left a legacy of achievements to be
which we taught ourselves. What we should be appreciated.
aspiring to achieve: ‘To make a meaningful
contribution to the society, in which we live,’ But, does this commit the following generations
appears to have been completely forgotten. to maintain that organization? My answer to this
question is not unequivocally “no,” but I am
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