“kfar Silver” Dedicated in Israel; Ben Gurion, U.S. Envoy Laud Silver

Kfar Silver, an agricultural school chiefly for recently arrived immigrant youths, was dedicated near Ashkelon today at a ceremony attended by Rabbi Abba Hillel Silver, veteran American Zionist for whom the school is named, Premier David Ben Gurion and members of his Cabinet, and United States Ambassador Edward B, Lawson.

The farm school was established by the General Zionist Party of Israel and the Zionist Organization of America on a 470 acre plot of land provided by the Jewish National Fund. It includes housing for 300 students as well as an orange grove, vineyards and fields. The students, most of whom are recent arrivals from North Africa, danced and sang in a greeting to Dr. Silver.

The American Zionist leader, who returned the greeting and spoke glowingly of the youth of Israel, called on American youth to come to Israel either to remain to build the land or to return as ambassadors of goodwill and understanding between the two communities. He insisted that despite the international situation there was no reason for pessimism and expressed confidence that American Jews would “stand by” Israel in the days ahead.

Premier Ben Gurion praised Dr. Silver as a brave leader who had contributed heavily to the State of Israel and also hailed other leaders whom American Jewry had given to the Israeli community. Finally. Mr. Ben Gurion expressed the hope that the school–a General Zionist pioneer enterprise–would lead to further pioneering activity which Israel needs so much.

Ambassador Lawson called the school a “fitting” tribute to Dr. Silver, whose labors on behalf of Zionism he understood. Referring to Dr. Silver’s bringing a message of goodwill from President Eisenhower to President Ben Zvi last week, Ambassador Lawson said that Rabbi Silver had “forged another of the many ties he personally established between our both nations.”