Page 4 - Kol Bogrei Habonim - September 15
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CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
JUNE 2015
ARYEH WOLFIN, KFAR HANASSI
T th "Harry Levy Quiz" was expertly handled by
he Annual Reunion in November 2014,
which marked the 85 anniversary of
Frank Farbenbloom.
Habonim UK, was attended by close to a
hundred at the Eden Hotel in Zichron Yaakov. Our sincere thanks for the success of the event
We were indeed surprised by the turnout, go to Coral, who coordinated and ensured its
considering the limited number of membership smooth running. It was backed up by Yigal, Alec
subscriptions that had been received for 2014 and Frank, while Clive expertly handled the
and - so far - that's good news. sound, and Geoffrey, Len and Phil, managed the
finances.
The program was in keeping with the standards
that we have set ourselves over the last decade. , The much-awaited meeting of the IBH
The highlight was a talk by the former Israeli committee, following the annual reunion, took
th
ambassador to the United States, Dr. Michael place in Haifa on the 10 March 2015 as
Oren. He gripped the audience with his rhetoric, scheduled, with the additional participation of
whilst conveying very interesting content the editorial committee of the Iton. The main
concerning Israel-American relations, as well as item on the agenda, in the wake of declining
stressing the involvement of the American membership and lack of interest on the part of
Jewish community. As a result of his highly the younger generation, was "where do we go
informative talk, the audience came away with from here?" Yours truly has been chairman for
an increased awareness of the strategic over 10 years with no replacement in sight. Phil's
importance of Israel's relations with the United resignation left the job of gizbar open, with Len
States of America. filling in temporarily whilst managing the amuta.
The Iton Editorial Committee is functioning well
The second half of the program was a trip down under Linda Levine and Gerry Kelman and its
“memory lane" when our one and only Frank editor, Harold Hirsch. In the ensuing debate,
Farbenbloom reminded us…." who we were" many ideas were aired, one of them being to
through a PowerPoint slide presentation with manage the organization virtually, which
audience participation. The audience reacted together with the Iton, the annual reunion and
enthusiastically and many were seen drying the the work in the archives could function
tears of nostalgia from their eyes, as their adequately. In conclusion, a triumvirate was
teenage memories of camps, winter activities appointed, consisting of Alec Collins, Yigal
and tiyulim etc., were vividly recalled. The Levine and Coral Navon, to steer the
evening ended off with entertainment provided organization through this crisis and it will aim to
by the “Kippalive” acapella group and a "shira" find a replacement chairman, gizbar and other
conducted by Clive Noble. The following functionaries. Yours truly will become Chairman
morning, for those who remained, the traditional Emeritus.
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