Shofar The B'nai B'rith Youth Organization Sivan 5743, June 1983 Aleph Zadik Aleph (AZA) B'nai B'rith Girls (BBG) REGISTER OF Judy and Adam NATIONAL JEWISH HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS Overseas by Judy Altenberg, International N'siah chapter to make a trip on a weekend to and Adam Petrovsky, Grand Aleph visit another city's chapter, and members Godol are sometimes turned away from these weekends because so many want to go. It In the middle of March, 1983, we took off is also not unusual for a chapter to spon- from New York's Kennedy Airport on El Al sor a program for over 100 members, a airlines, to visit District 14, Israel; Dis- feat for any chapter in North America. trict 15, Great Britain and Ireland; and the Even though it would seem to be difficult newly-established BBYO District 19 orga- to operate and program with so many nization in Paris. members, Noar LeNoar handles this chal- lenge with expertise, and finds that a big- Israel: District 14 ger chapter operates more efficiently and Our first visit took us to Lod airport, a more productively. short distance from Tel Aviv. An additional The members themselves are warm, purpose for visiting Israel when we did friendly, and always willing to help each The Gathering offered an opportunity to create a national register of survi- was to attend the Third World Conference other with any job, whether a BBYO task vors to help people search for family members. on Soviet Jewry, held in Jerusalem. (See or not. Noar LeNoar shows a certain kind Judy's report in the May Shofar and her of fraternity and sisterhood that is not ex- hibited in North America. Social rela- Report from the letter on page two of this issue.) We were greeted at the airport by tions are much freer, perhaps because of Yochai Peleg, the young Israeli who is in the mixed-gender makeup. Members of charge of the Noar LeNoar program Noar LeNoar often have boyfriends or Gathering of throughout the country. Yochai, perhaps girlfriends, yet most do not exhibit this at- the program's greatest asset, was ex- tachment at programs. Easy social rela- tremely kind to us, and we quickly under- tions aren't emphasized in programs, but Holocaust Survivors stood why the members of Noar LeNoar seem to flow more naturally than in North adore him. Yochai handles all Noar LeNoar America. It seemed to us that the Israelis functions, from working with members were less concerned with impressing one to running all ISI functions in the summer another socially. In mid-April, more than 10,000 survivors name is Sala Konskier. I am from Lodz, and months. Yochai has established a fantas- The Noar LeNoar program includes of the Nazi attempt to exterminate the Jew- I am looking for my brother Aaron, who I tic program for the members of Noar much more than community service, al- ish people converged on Washington, last saw thirty-eight years ago." And then I LeNoar, with the help of Sam Fisher, Inter- though that is what the movement in Israel D.C. The American Gathering of Holocaust witness screams of recognition as a national Director of Overseas Opera- is famous for. The community service as- Survivors was only the second Gathering cousin finds a cousin, or childhood friends tions, and B'nai B'rith staff. pect that is required of each member, four ever held; the first was held in Jerusalem are re-united. The final responsibility, just as in BBYO hours a week, is a private act that is usu- two years ago. Rachel Shankman, Director I feel the tears flowing and make no at- everywhere, rests on the shoulders of ally not discussed much and is done with- of Cotton States Region, attended the tempt to brush them aside. A reporter the chapters themselves, which range in out much comment. Major programming Gathering in Washington and sent us this from the Miami Herald comes up and size from twenty to over 100 members. does not center around community ser- report. touches me with hesitation, and wants to There are 35 chapters in cities and vice, although some community service know why this sight touches me so deeply. towns around Israel. Each chapter is programs are done. Much more of their April 11th: As I wait for my flight to take I take a deep breath and tell her that the BBYO, rather than AZA or BBG. That is an program is for learning or just fun. Very me to Washington, D.C., for the Gathering, enormity of the loss is so evident here in asset in some cases, and in others, a det- often a weekend program consists of a day I look around the room and feel an air of this room, as people recount one after an- riment. at the beach or a visit in a town. Other expectancy, anxiety, and kinship with the other the names of the loved ones they Noar LeNoar is recognized as one of the programs might be a debate on Israeli po- others waiting to join me on this historic are searching for I witness an evolution, finest youth programs in Israel. When it litical issues, learning about the less for- journey. I am proud to be among their from stating names to confessing details makes a public statement, and it often tunate, or a guest speaker. numbers, as I know I represent my par- of the past: for many, this is the first time does, many people in Israel listen. The The staff structure of Noar LeNoar is ents, who are no longer living, and BBYO, they have discussed their experiences. Ministry of Education supports Noar carefully hidden. Although there is an ad- which as an agency can have such an im- Most poignant is a woman who de- LeNoar, and often works with the move- visor for each chapter, they take a back- pact on teaching youth about their Jewish scribes being fourteen and taken into SS ment. The organization is strong, and it stage role in the chapters' appearance, roots. When we arrive at the hotel, I mar- barracks, where she was used as a pros- has become a great honor to belong to which is very good. It looks like almost vel at the Yiddish spoken all around me. It titute. She has carried this story for thirty- Noar LeNoar, so that for most chapters, at- every program is planned, programmed, is music to my ears, for it brings back eight years, and was able to confront it tendance and attitude are not a problem. and run by the members, with very little wonderful childhood memories. here among those who would understand For example, a common program is for a staff intervention. We were sure that the My next stop is the Convention Center, her. There was no shock, only a current staff members were there, but they where, overwhelmed, I attempt to absorb of empathy, as all too many could relate to seemed to assume the perfect role of ad- the sights and sounds around me. There her experience. visors to the members. The staff super- are exhibits of every description, dealing Tonight I am on a bus to the Capital vise, while the members run the with the Holocaust, Jewish resistance Center in Mayland, where the President of organization. fighters, art, educational resources (I'm the United States will address the Con- ISRAEL We were escorted throughout most of happy to see B'nai B'rith represented with vention body. Due to the tight security, the country and visited many chapters their fine materials!), and a few stands 20,000 people are herded through two few and many programs. While chapters seem selling jewelry and gifts. There is a com- metal detectors, and I feel myself being very similar from city to city, they each puter center, where you can plug in your pushed, shoved, and terrified. I worry have their own peculiarities, including all family name and place of origin. Through- about the elderly, who, if they fall, could the ones encountered in North America. out the day, matches of people with the be seriously hurt by the shoving crowd. BBYO in Israel is definitely succeeding. same name or same place of origin are My mind plays cruel tricks and propels me It has over 3000 active members, and is displayed on a large screen. back to days of pushing, shoving, and on the upswing. The Survivors Village holds more than a getting into cattle cars. For me, this atmo- Its president, Nechi Blumenau, has hundred tables, on which are posted the sphere is too authentic! earned the respect of the members, and is names of cities and countries throughout Once inside the hall, we hear speaker an excellent president. With the help of Europe. Thousands of survivors and their after speaker, including our President, the many members of Noar LeNoar, she children fashion their own signs, pin speak eloquently about courage, the has brought the Order to its highest point, them on their shirts and blouses, and walk human spirit, and survivial. Elie Wiesel involving more and more youth, and through the crowds, hoping to find a rel- asks the tough questions, for which there raising the quality of its own program- ative or landsmann (someone from the are no answers: Why was the world si- ming. same area). Their eyes, searching for faces lent? I am moved by the quiet strength in For any youth in Israel, Noar LeNoar is not seen for forty years, will stay with his voice. I am also moved by the sense of the place to be, and for BBYO, Noar me forever. I witness people going to a mi- gratitude the survivors feel toward this LeNoar is a picture of high quality and crophone, speaking simply, saying: "My Continued on page 3 Continued on page 2