1957 ZOA Israel Youth Tour
The importance of bringing Jewish youth to see Israel
Letter Excerpts:
“In Jerusalem they took me to Bet Hakerem where (the ZOA and) all the groups are staying. Guess who I met? Right. Elaine at 2:30 AM.”
— July 21, 1957
“As I told you before I met another American from the ZOA group who is staying in Israel for a little while after the regular group leaves… We are hiring a jeep here & an Israeli who works in the Heletz oil fields, but will be on vacation next week is going also.”
— August 23, 1957
“ Today I went on a tour of Netanya with the ZOA group. It is an Industrial suburb of Tel Aviv.” …We then had lunch with the mayor who told us how the city doesn’t have a
Socialist regime but rather
is completely run on an American capitalistic system…
— August 28, 1957
In 1951, when the author was 16 years old, he began volunteering for the ZOA. This is when he learned the importance of fighting for Israel even while living in the United States and the importance of working together with others for this goal.
Like many young Zionists, Bob Jacobs came to Israel on a ZOA tour.
The Zionist Organization of America (ZOA), established in 1897, was the first official Zionist organization in the United States. Long before AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee), the ZOA was, and still is, instrumental in lobbying US politicians and mobilizing American opinion in favor of the State of Israel.
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The ZOA in 1957
In 1957, the ZOA was a large organization, with chapters throughout the United States. As witnessed through these letters, the ZOA also owned a building in Tel Aviv known as the ZOA House, where tourists could meet and bond. This “ZOA House” also served as a headquarters for ideological lectures and cultural programs. ZOA also boasted an agricultural center called Kfar Silver which also served as an anchor for ZOA members in Israel. ZOA was actively involved in broad support of various social-welfare, cultural and Zionist educational programs in Israel. During 1957, 330 cultural functions took place in the ZOA House, attended by 450,000 Israeli citizens and tourists.
Both the ZOA and Hadassah and many other Zionist youth groups coordinated their activities together and traveled on the same buses. The six-week tour enabled participants to get a comprehensive tour from north to south, visiting industry sites, volunteering on kibbutzim, staying in Israeli’s homes, meeting political figures and much more.
The ZOA Today
Today, the ZOA House in Tel Aviv no longer exists. It was closed in 2003. They also ended their affiliation with Kfar Silver in 2016, leaving ZOA with no physical presence in Israel. ZOA tours today span only ten days (instead of six-weeks). The various Zionist groups no longer travel together, nor do they have the same itinerary. The politicization of the Jewish world resulting from the 1967 Six-Day War, has even made touring controversial.
For example, Hadassah/Young Judea, and various “Birthright” tours bring its group tours to pre-1967 Israel, as well as to the Kotel and the Golan Heights, but is very reluctant to bring its groups to Judea and Samaria. The ZOA, on the other hand, remains one of the very few non-orthodox establishment groups that bring visiting youth to tour Judea and Samaria, the Biblical heartland of the Jewish People.
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Israeli Innovation – Drip Irrigation
Israel has become the world initiator and leader in drip irrigation
Stage 3 – Irrigating with Treated Wastewater
Another method used to save water is building wastewater treatment plants to treat and reuse the sewage water. In this process, contaminants are removed from sewage water, and it is converted into an effluent that can be returned to the water cycle. This technology has contributed to the fact that there is almost no sewage pollution in Israel. TAHAL was established in 1952 by the government of Israel with the aim of meeting the country’s greatest challenge – transforming its arid lands into fertile fields. Initially focusing on the development of natural water resources and irrigation systems, TAHAL has moved to the design and construction of sophisticated projects utilizing brackish water, recycled wastewater and desalinated seawater.
Stage 4 – Desalination of Israel’s Salt Water Seas
This is another innovation for a country that has rain shortages and drought, but plenty of salty water.
Desalination is the process where salt is removed from seawater. As of 2019, 80% of Israel’s drinking water is from desalination, according to Israel’s Minister of Energy, Yuval Steinitz.
A TAHAL Plant
Using brackish water, recycled wastewater and desalinated seawater
to transform Israel’s arid lands into fertile fields.
“Irrigating the desert with purified seawater might seem to many today as a delusion, but Israel should be the last state to be afraid of ‘delusions’ that could change the primal order by force of the power of vision, science and pioneering capability.”
— Prime Minister David Ben Gurion, 1956
Stage 5 – Drones
Israel produces its own drones. These drones can easily locate irrigation malfunctions in the field or orchard – whether detecting leakage or damage to the irrigation system, or using thermal photography that enables identification of thirsty plants in the field. This surveillance ensures efficient, optimal irrigation. Besides monitoring irrigation problems, drones can monitor pesticide use, and identify lack of uniformity in the field. Drones can even do their own fruit picking!
Stage 6 – Sensors for Agriculture
The latest innovation is the use of sensors that measure moisture in the soil as well as the mineral and salt content in order to create the ideal growing conditions. It enables farmers to make data driven decisions by gathering data and uploading to the internet cloud. This information can be viewed on a cell phone app that controls the irrigation system.
One can know exactly how much water is in the soil, and then turn the water on or off from his cell phone, no matter where he is in the world. One of the innovators of this technology is a company from Israel called “Viridix”. It is a technology that enables farmers to save water, increase crop yield, raise crop quality, and ultimately increase profits. In the event that there is no internet connection for one to monitor his crops from his cell phone, the Viridix Sensor is connected to a satellite, enabling farmers from the most remote locations to enjoy this technology.
Viridix Sensor System
The Israeli Viridix sensor system automatically measures mositure, mineral and salt content in growing soil allowing farmers to accurately and remotely control irrigation for ideal yields.
Israel has Become a Water Superpower
According to the UN, much of the planet’s population faces water shortages and this scarcity is expected to become even more acute during the coming decades. In fact, water is the world’s most rapidly depleting resource and some analysts are calling water the “new oil” of the 21st century: The international water market is estimated at $450 billion and is growing at 7%-8% annually.
In light of the country’s long experience in contending with water scarcity and its broad base of water tech know-how, Israel is well positioned to tap into this global market. Here are ten ways that Israel’s water expertise is helping the world.
Israel’s IDE Builds Largest Desalination Plant in the Western Hemisphere
Conclusion
Israel has not only made her own desert bloom, but is exporting its technology all over the globe, including countries in which they don’t enjoy diplomatic relations. In general, there is a scarcity of water in the Middle East, and everyone benefits from Israeli innovation.