An entrance sign at Kibbutz Hasolaim directing visitors to the kindergarten and infirmary
July 26, 1957 Friday afternoon, 1pm
Dear Mom, Dad and Alan,
I spent the morning helping out with the potato sorting machine. This afternoon I am going with the group to visit an Arab Village. Nothing else is new except the more that I see and hear the way the kibbutz is run, the more convinced I am that it is a very efficient economic unit. The value of their produce here is increasing by about 20% a year since it was established 8 years ago.
Last night was a big party for the whole kibbutz in which various skits were presented. It was very funny. I also wrote a letter to Mr. Braverman. As soon as I get a chance I will buy postcards to send to everyone. Received your letters written Sunday July 21 and Tuesday July 23. I hope everything is ok with the car & you are all in best of health.
Your very appreciative son,
Bob
My Father & Mother visiting Kibbutz HaSolalim 2017, in front of the cabins where their youth group stayed in 1957
July 26, 1957 Friday afternoon, 1pm
“I spent the morning helping out with a potato sorting machine.”
The kibbutz mentioned here is Kibbutz Hasolalim in northern Israel. It was founded in 1949, and is located in the Jezreel Valley near Kiryat Tivon and Nazareth, which is an area with a large Arab population. My dad doesn’t mention that Elaine, his future wife, joined him sorting the potatoes. Since 1957, Israel has become even more innovative in growing potatoes using sensors and satellites. My son works for a company that exports this technology to India and other countries across the globe.
“…the more that I see and hear the way the kibbutz is run, the more convinced I am that it is a very efficient economic unit.“
My father’s description of the kibbutz efficiency in the 1950’s is self-explanatory. As a future accountant and capitalist, he had a natural feel for business, and was successful in breaking down business opportunities for his clients.
In 1957, Kibbutz Hasolalim was a “socialist” kibbutz. Today, according the kibbutz’s website, it has become “privatized”.
“I also wrote a letter to Mr. Braverman.“
Mr. Braverman was my dad’s elementary school principal at Yeshivah of Flatbush. Even though he was twenty-two years old and graduated many years earlier, he still kept in touch with him. My dad was always grateful to Mr. Braverman for teaching him Hebrew which he used on his trip. Mr. Braverman did not have children of his own and was happy to hear from his former students.
“Received your letters written Sunday July 21 and Tuesday July 23.”
I looked for the letters sent by my grandparents to my father, but never found them.
