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8 - THE BULLETIN — Thursday, February 19. 1981_
NEGEV DINNER '81 CELEBRATES JNF's 80tli, HONORS PAST PRESIDENTS
JWB Staff
Prominent Canadian leaders joined a large gathering in the Four Seasons hotel Feb. 9 as the Jewish National Fund, Pacific Region, held its most successful Negev Testimonial Dinner to date.
"This year's evening has raised more funds than any other in regional JNF history and the Vancouver Jewish community has attained the number one position in Canada in the amount of monies obtained for JNF in 1980,"president Julius Balshine told the crowd.
Amongst, well-known names present were 1979 Negev Dinner honoree, John Fraser, Member of Parliament for Vancouver South; B.C. Minister of Human Resources, Grace McCarthy; and Vancouver Mayor Mike H%rcourt. JNF dignitaries included national president Eric Exton and Michael Yarosky, executive vice-president,; JNF of Canada.
The frailach evening paid tribute
to the Jewish National Fund's 80th anniversary; honored eight former regional presidents; and presented special awards to evening chairman Rabbi Wilfred Solomon and to Mr. Balshine, currently serving his third term as JNF provincial leader.
Mr. Exton expressed delight that the Canadian Jewish community has supported so enthusiastically the JNPs continuing mandate to purchase and develop land in Israel. "How well the JNF has done its job in Israel, the centrality of Jewish life," he said, adding that "even the landscape has been transformed."
He pointed out that the people of Israel, aided by JNF, have sunk their roots in the land, an "occurrence of special significance given our witnessing and experiencing of such atrocities as the Holocaust, the Yom Kippur War, Entebbe."
Mr. Exton urged continued support for JNF programs, particularly Galil Canada, "a great
HEAD-TABLE GUESTS, from left to right: Michael Yarosky; Mr. and Mrs. Eric Exton; The Honorable Grace McCarthy and Mr. McCarthy; Mrs. Wilfred Solomon, and Rabbi Solomon, addressing the gatherfatg; Mr. and Mrs. Julius BalsliIne;tb0 H<»ii0nbie John Fraser; Mayor and Mrs. Michael Harcourt; Colonel and Mrs. Yehuda Uvy. A^nm L^er Photos.)
responsibility which we accept joyfully." All dinner proceeds are being directed towards the Galil Canada.project.
Colonel Yehuda Levy, Vancouver JNF Jerusalem Emissary, told the audience that because Israel must carry an extremely heavy burden, it is essential that the nation become stronger and continue to develop.
"We will continue to build and defend the only place on earth we can truly call our home — we owe it to our children and grandchildren.
"The JNF. for80years, has turned
the sweetest dreams of the Jewish people into, reality. We should all be proud of its achievements and the efforts of those we honor tonight who helped make it all possible," Colonel Levy said.
Rabbi Solomon spoke of the significance of the JNF: "The Blue Box helped build a country," he said. "How would you visualize Israel without its recreation areas, trees, roads and developed water reservoirs?"
Referring to the JNF's 80 years, he pointed out that the organization has significant pride and staying power, which has become the strength of Israel. Lookingahead, he said that JNF today builds for the future, baseci on the idea that the people of Israel- have a share in the land.
Rabbi Solomon concluded: "G-d wants us to be partners with him in creation. The JNF takes this partnership very seriously. We celebrate with all those who realize that the JNF visualizes great projects."
Mr. Balshine presented Rabbi Solomon with the Bernard Bloom-field Service Award, given only once every two years to a person dedicated to Zionism. He pointed
PORTION of large crowd is seen in photo at left watching performance by Glad. Tidings Temple choir and orchestra. At right. Pastor Maureen Gaglardi accepts a certificate from Colonel Yehuda Levy, signifying contribution made by Glad Tidings Temple for Kibbutz Ravid in Galil-Canada.
out that the -Beth Israel spiritual leader has co-led, with Colonel Levy, JNF-B.I. tours to Israel in 1979, i 980 and again later this year; helped reach new levels of giving for the JNF during High Holiday Yiskor appeals; and served as chairman of the evening's dinner.
Mr. Balshine. before calling each of the regional past presidents to say a few words to the gathering, recalled the efforts of other noted regional JNF leaders, mentioning Kiva Katznelson and Dave Nemetz, and former presidents, now deceased. Aser Harowitz. Al Mann, Sam Tenenbaum.
Harry Toban. the most senior of the past presidents being honored^ served as regional JNF leader in 1938-40. He presented a brief history of the Zionist movement in Vancouver, recalling that Karen Hayesod was established in 1918; the Youth Aliyah campaign began in 1932; and that local drives collected some $5,000 per year during the 1937-41 period. He noted the importance of the Blue Box to JNF efforts and urged improvements in
collection.
Jonah Karmelrecalled that he had
served as chairman of the first iNegev
Dinner in Vancouver in 1955. and
stated. "It does my heart good to see
how these events have gfown.*^
"JNF is my true organizational
love." 1969-72 president. Leo Levey
said. He recalled that during his term
of service, the regional organization
opened its own office and brought in
a Shaliach. "It has been a privilege
and source of spiritual joy fornfeto"
have Worked for JNF." he stressed.
Dennis- Frankenburg, president
EVENING HONOREES and their wives, from left to right: Naomi Frankenbiirg, Harry Toban^ Pci^^i^nkcnburg, Evelyn Toban, Irvine and Gloria Epstem, Leo and Pearl I Maurice Hock, Shurley and Julius Balshine, Ethel and Jonah Karmel.
\ Leni and KailTaus^, N^j^and