Ben-gurion Lauds American Jewry on His Departure from the U.S.

David Ben-Gurion left the United States today after completing a strenuous 19-day cross-country visit at the invitation of the United Jewish Appeal, in which he sought aid for absorbing Israel’s immigrants, and for enlarging opportunities for the high school education of their children.

Departing for Canada, for a 2-day stay before leaving for London, Mr. Ben-Gurion had words of thanks and praise for the American people and the American Jewish community, who had received him enthusiastically. “The American people and the American government have long been among Israel’s warmest friends, ” he stated. “I was happy to see that the feeling of friendship for Israel is as strong as ever, and I thank everyone for the warm way they received me and Mrs. Ben-Gurion.”

“As for the American Jewish community,” Mr. Ben-Gurion declared, “without their deep interest in Israel and their outstanding support it would have been impossible to have established the State, or for us to make the great progress we have made in the last 18 years. American Jews fortunately recognize that their support is still needed for the important progress we must still make.”

The former Prime Minister said that two things had moved him most on his visit. The first was the fact that a vastly growing number of American Jewish children now learn and speak Hebrew. The second was the action of a group of American Jewish leaders who presented him with an 80th year birthday gift in the form of $1, 200, 000 in contributions to build a new regional high school at Sde Boker, the Negev desert community where he makes his home.

The school will be one unit of a Midrasha — Institute of Higher Studies which Mr. Ben-Gurion wishes to see built at Sde Boker to train the personnel, and carry out the research, which will help lead to the peaceful conquest of the Negev. The desert constitutes 60 percent of Israel’s land mass. The $1, 200, 000 sum represents twelve contributions of $100, 000 each, and was furnished by individuals and community groups in a special campaign of the Israel Education Fund of the United Jewish Appeal.

$2,200,000 RAISED IN BOSTON AT DINNER HONORING BEN-GURION

Last night, Mr. Ben-Gurion addressed 1,200 persons attending the community-wide dinner launching the campaign of the Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston. Mortimer Weiss, general chairman of the campaign, announced that $2, 200, 000 had been raised before the opening of this year’s campaign. He said this was the largest amount ever raised here in pre-campaign pledges.

Lewis H. Weinstein, a past president of the Council of Jewish Federations and Welfare Funds, announced that $80,000 — $1, 000 for each of Mr. Ben-Gurion’s 80 years — had been earmarked for projects in the Negev. Sidney R. Rabb, a prominent Boston Jewish leader, presented Mr. Ben-Gurion with a group of lithographs by Mane Katz, the well-known Jewish painter. Dewey D. Stone, national chairman of the United Israel Appeal, Inc., and Bernard D. Grossman, president of the CJP, also addressed the dinner.

Before his departure today, Mr. Ben-Gurion addressed an audience of 500 persons at the Hebrew Teachers College in Boston. Mr. Ben-Gurion, who spoke in Hebrew, was introduced by Philip Lown, president of the college and Dr. Eizig Silbershlag, dean.

The Brandeis University Board of Trustees voted to establish the David and Paula Ben-Gurion Israeli Fellowship Fund, in honor of their 50th wedding anniversary. The announcement came at a dinner for the Ben-Gurions at the Brandeis campus. The fellowship fund, which will be underwritten by the University, will enable an Israeli graduate student to spend a year at Brandeis.