I’ve hardly ever been prouder to be a member of Betar than last week, when I attended a reunion for American Betar at the Begin Center. Barry Liben, a Betar alum from New York and owner of Tzell Travel, in whose offices I used to meet with the New York Betar alumni group, donated a major part of the museum in the honor of American Betar. So it seems the assorted Betar alumni in Israel took this as an opportunity to stage a reunion. Moshe “Misha” Arens spoke, and I met him for the first time. He apparently just turned 80, though he could easily pass for 60. He is embarking on a very interesting and important research project about the role of the ZZW in the Warsaw Ghetto Revolt (the very topic of my IB History internal assessment almost seven years ago), which he considers one of the four main contributions of the Betar movement, and which is very definitely lacking a credible historical treatment. I also got to meet fellow bloggers Batya and Winkie.
When I looked around the room during Winkie’s talk, I saw a hall overflowing with all sorts of immigrants – young and old, new and veteran, religious and not-obviously-religious and non-religious. I saw many immigrants with their native-born Israeli spouses and children. I saw the current generation on a Tagar winter tour, having come directly from the Temple Mount Antiquities Salvage Operation and having spent time in Kedumim. I don’t know what percent of US Betar veterans make Aliyah, but I’m sure it is a very high percent and I’m sure it’s higher by far than any other Zionist youth movement in America. Betar is a tiny organization that has had a fantastically large impact on the creation and development of Israel by, among other things, pioneering the concept and practice of “illegal” immigration in the 1930s and 40s, leading the Warsaw Ghetto Revolt, fighting in the War of Independence, and of course throwing the British out of the country. None of these was done for the merit or the credit, and most were done with other names – ZZW, IZL – but always, in fact, by Betar. So it’s an honor to see that we’re still contributing in the ways that we can.
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While small in numbers, Brit Trumpeldor of America, also known as Betar, has had a huge impact on the Zionist movement and the State of Israel. It’s glorious history has been one of true dedication to the formation of Israel. Members of Betar in Europe from 1923 until the end of World War II were prominent activists in the Irgun and Lechi. In the USA, the hey day of Betar was in the 1950s, 60s and 70s. Betar was in the forefront of championing both local and global Jewish issues through demonstrations and protests, the likes of which were rarely seen in the Jewish world.
Barry Liben deserves the lion’s share of the credit. His exemplary leadership throughout the 1970s, put Betar on the map and helped establish it as a viable and formidable zionist youth movement. A serious and tremendous emphasis was placed education and activism, and as a result Betar members were both highly knowledgeable of their history and has the courage to stand behind their convictions. Mr. Liben and others lead by example and their impact on the lives of their chanichim, cannot be overstated.
I remember my first Tironut courses in Camp Betar and my participation at numerous demonstrations as though it were yesterday. I remember our lessons on the ideology of Betar, the meaning of Hadar, of Tagar, the history of the Irgun and the story of our people.
I learned to overcome fear of being arrested at demonstrations when I was in the company of my fellow Betarim. The strength and courage that our leaders imparted has carried me a long way.
Mr. Liben is to be saluted for his magnanimous contributions to the Begin Center in Jerusalem. Kol HaKavod to American Betar !!!
I was a camper in the very early 50′s and would like to find some old bunk mates. Jack Litman for one. My phone # 305-785-8920