Ben-gurion Urges Youth to Prepare Themselves to Go on Aliyah

Former Israeli Premier David Ben-Gurion contends in a new magazine article that “All those American Jewish youths who have a pioneering spark within themselves should prepare themselves to go on aliyah to Israel,” because “Prayer for aliyah is not enough.” Writing in the 10th anniversary issue of “Olam Hadash,” a periodical published by Hebrew Publications for Children, Inc., Ben-Gurion asserts: “The redemption of Israel can only be fulfilled by aliyah. Israel needs a big pioneering aliyah from the entire diaspora, but particularly from America where the greatest Jewish community is concentrated. We need an aliyah of tens and hundreds of thousands so that they can make Israel fruitful and bring peace to our land and our neighbors.” Ben-Gurion also urges American Jewish youth to “pursue a Hebrew education not only to bar mitzvah, but beyond, so that you will thoroughly understand Judaism and its historic mission for our people.” That process, he adds, “is possible only through a knowledge of the Bible in its original form, the learning of Jewish history, and the reading of Hebrew literature in addition to the English literature.”