An IL 5 million community center, donated by Alexander Grass of Harrisburg, Pa., was dedicated last week at Maalot, the northern border township. Grass, who was on hand for the ceremony, is chairman of the United Jewish Appeal’s “Israel Education Fund” which raises large gifts for schools and kindergartens, mainly in border areas.
Visibly moved, Maalot’s mayor. Eli Ben Yaacov told Grass how the township had dreamed of and planned a community center to give local people the opportunity to develop latent talents and abilities that previously have had no means of outlet or expression. Maalot was the scene last year of a terrorist massacre of high school children. The country, and Jews abroad were jolted into the realization that border towns such as Maalot were neglected and that their mainly Oriental residents were disadvantaged.
Prior to the dedication ceremony, a wreath was laid at monument commemorating the victims of the Maalot massacre. Afterwards. Jewish Agency representative. Dr. Chaim Teichman, told the Grass family. “Next to the monument for the dead, you have helped build a monument for the living.” In response, Grass said: “This building is a beautiful building. But more important than that, it has been built for a beautiful people–the people of Maalot.”
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