(VIDEO AND PHOTOS IN EXTENDED ARTICLE)
Ninety-seven year old Kurt Rothschild, who made aliya to Israel several years ago from Canada, received the official Bnei Akiva ‘Aliya Pin.’ Kurt was given the honor at a ceremony last Thursday that was attended by hundreds of young people and Bogrim (alumni) of the World Bnei Akiva movement all of whom made Aliya over the past year. Kurt made an inspiring speech regarding the reasons for which he and his wife Edith decided to make Aliya at their respective ages. “It’s a mixture of wanting to be here, identifying with our people, our country, and ending our lives, at some point, here in Israel. But for you life has only started and I greet you for your idealism for the manner in which you settled down here.”
“You are youngsters; I was born almost 80 years ago. Almost 98 years ago, I made a little mistake, and I was forced out of Germany where I was born, first to go to England, from England to Canada and now after 75 years in Canada – we’ve ended here, my wife and I,” Kurt said, sharing his family history. “We have children here, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and we are gratified every day of our life that we made this choice, and I wish you and hope for you that you too will never regret the day that you made the move, that you will be gratified of being here together.”
“Indeed, Israel is the center of the world. A small country embattled from all sides and in the news of the world almost every day. To walk the streets of Jerusalem is a special privilege, and really unbelievable how we [are] – threatened by Iran, by Syria, by all Arab countries, by the Palestinians – managed to build up a country in such a remarkable, incredible way. In our prayers we say every day how beautiful this country and how it’s ours, but we have to work for it; it doesn’t come free of charge, it comes through effort […] the Jewish people have lost in our days, in my days, almost six million men, women and children [and] will only continue to exist if we work for it, if we help [in] building up this country, if we are loyal to each other and loyal to Israel, this country.”
The ceremony was held as part of the Aliya Day party of the Alumni of the World Bnei Akiva movement, directed by Ariel Chesner, and in cooperation with WeWork on Jerusalem’s King George Street. Singer Avi Ganz, who is a contestant on the fourth season of “The Voice,” performed at the ceremony. Roi Abecassis, secretary-general of the World Bnei Akiva movement, noted that “Kurt moved us all. He showed us that Aliya is not the end but only the beginning, of the hard work that every immigrant must do as they find their way in the building of this land, in these days as in past days.”
(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
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One Response
A very special man, indeed. Here is another thing that Kurt does that is unusual for a man his age – he attends a Daf Yomi Shiur every morning from 8:00 – 9:00. A special Jew!