Events and Activities Ideas:
David Ben-Gurion's Birthday - October 16, 1886
On May 14, 1948, David Ben-Gurion declared the State of Israel a sovereign and independence nation. While there were thousands who are to be credited for the establishment of the Jewish State, the most famous among them is David Ben-Gurion.
Background: David Ben-Gurion
Born in 1886 in Plonsk, Poland, Ben-Gurion was raised in a passionate Zionist household. As a child, he was educated in the Hebrew school established by his father. As a teenager, he participated in the Zionist movement and led Ezra, a Zionist youth group.
When Ben-Gurion reached the age of 18, he moved to Warsaw to teach at the Warsaw Jewish School. During this time, he joined the Zionist Socialist organization, Workers of Zion (Poalei Zion).
In 1906, he arrived in Palestine and became active in the creation of the first agricultural workers commune and assisted in the formation of the Jewish defense group, the Watchmen (Hashomer).
With the start of WWI, the Ottoman authorities deported Ben-Gurion. Banished from Palestine, he relocated to New York and began working on behalf of the Zionist cause. While in New York, Ben-Gurion met and married fellow activist Paula Monbesz. They later returned to Palestine as part of the British Army's Jewish Legion under the command of Zionist Leader Vladimir Jabotinksky.
Following the Jewish Legion and true to his socialist ideals, Ben-Gurion became highly active in the development of several trade unions. In the early 1920's, he was instrumental in the establishment and leadership of the national trade union, Histradrut, and a delegate to the Jewish Agency and World Zionist Organization.
In May 1948, after declaring independence, Ben-Gurion became Israel's first Prime Minister and Defense Minister. As the head of the newly formed state, he supervised the rapid development of the nation's infrastructure and public sector. He oversaw the rapid expansion of Israel's population, including Operation Magic Carpet. He believed that the nation needed to be established beyond the urban centers and pushed for settlements in Negev and other rural regions.
He retired from public service, and built a life for himself on Kibbutz Sde Boker in the Negev in 1953. Two short years later, he returned to public service as Defense Minister and later Prime Minister for a second time. He led the nation in the 1956 Sinai Campaign and established diplomatic relations with West Germany in the face of sharp national criticism and resistance.
For personal reasons, Ben-Gurion resigned as Prime Minster but not public service. He was succeeded by Levi Eshkol.
In 1965, he founded the List of Israeli Workers Party (Rafi). Rafi won 10 Knesset seats in the national election that followed after their formation. Three years later, Rafi merged with the Mapai Party and the Ahdut Party to form the Israel Labor Party.
When the Labor Party was formed, Ben-Gurion decided to establish another party, The State List (Hareshima Hamamlachtit). The State List Party won 4 Knesset seats in the 1969 elections.
David Ben-Gurion permanently retired from public life in June 1970. He returned to Kibbutz Sde Boker where he lived out the rest of his days. He passed away three years later in 1973.
David Ben-Gurion was a dreamer, a believer and leader. His values and ideals led him to a life of public service where he spent his entire life working toward the actualization of the Zionist dream. In 1948, the world heard his voice declare Israel's independence and today that legacy lives on.
Event Ideas:
1) Israeli Pot Luck – Ben Gurion was a major player in the formation of modern Israel. Here is an opportunity to celebrate his contributions with an Israeli Pot Luck Dinner. Have members of your group bring "a taste of Israel" to the event.To end the evening, have an informational discussion on a wide array of topics pertaining to Israel, past and present. Here is an idea – Ben Gurion was someone who was a do'er, so facilitate a discussion on what you can do for Israel from your campus or town.
2) Zionism Teach-in – Ben-Guiron is a familiar icon of the modern Zionist movement. Here is an excellent reason to have an informal teach-in or brown bag event with your members. Have a few of your members, volunteers preferred, prepare a short 5 minute presentation on a topic within Zionism to present to a this teach-in.
You can also use the teach-in concept to break up your normal membership meeting and take five minutes to educate your members. Just remember, you don't need to cover everything. Pick a topic or angle and present it. If your group shows a lot of interest in the topic, you can follow up with a more detailed program dedicated to that topic.
3) Hail to the Leaders – David Ben-Gurion was a key figure and prominent leader. He was Israel's first prime minister and announced to the world Israel's Declaration of Independence. Leadership within the Jewish community is as important today as it was then. Have a leadership retreat or start a leadership development program. Concentrate on exploring the qualities and attributes that made Ben-Gurion and other leaders successful and how your local leadership can imitate these traits.
4) Ben-Gurion Bash – Hey, not all activism needs to be serious. Why not use David Ben-Gurion's birthday as an excuse for a party to celebrate the man and his contributions to Israel. Be sure to have lots of pictures and information about Ben-Gurion so that everyone knows who we are celebrating.
Alternative Dates:
Ben Gurion Becomes Prime MinisterResources:
Information Department, Israel Embassy and Consulates, World Zionist Organization, American Zionist Movement, Jewish Agency
This article also belongs to the following subjects:
People
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1860-1948: Early Zionist Age
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