Comments on: The End of the Exodus Era http://danielgordis.org/2010/01/02/the-end-of-the-exodus-era/ Daniel Gordis, whom Alan Dershowitz has called “one of Israel’s most insightful observers,” writes and lectures throughout the world on Israeli society and the challenges facing the Jewish state. He blogs at www.danielgordis.org.” Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:36:59 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Jennifer Manley http://danielgordis.org/2010/01/02/the-end-of-the-exodus-era/comment-page-1/#comment-3856 Jennifer Manley Wed, 17 Nov 2010 08:36:22 +0000 http://danielgordis.org/?p=1495#comment-3856 Dear Mr. Gordis, The end of the Exodus era wasn't in 2008. I think it ended this past Monday, Nov. 15th, when my Great-Uncle, Eli Kalm passed away. He was Chief Steward aboard the Exodus. You can see him in many photographs standing about the H in Haganah. He stood there so his mother would see him in the newsreels back home and know that he was alive and well. Thank you for sharing this story. I too fell in love with Uris's story of the Exodus when I was a child. And then of course, I was enthralled with the real story too - since my beloved Great-Uncle was a large part of it. Best, Jennifer Dear Mr. Gordis,

The end of the Exodus era wasn’t in 2008. I think it ended this past Monday, Nov. 15th, when my Great-Uncle, Eli Kalm passed away. He was Chief Steward aboard the Exodus. You can see him in many photographs standing about the H in Haganah. He stood there so his mother would see him in the newsreels back home and know that he was alive and well.

Thank you for sharing this story. I too fell in love with Uris’s story of the Exodus when I was a child. And then of course, I was enthralled with the real story too – since my beloved Great-Uncle was a large part of it.

Best,
Jennifer

]]> By: Meshulam Gotlieb http://danielgordis.org/2010/01/02/the-end-of-the-exodus-era/comment-page-1/#comment-1212 Meshulam Gotlieb Tue, 09 Mar 2010 10:21:19 +0000 http://danielgordis.org/?p=1495#comment-1212 Dear Daniel, I found myself agreeing with your column, until I discovered my thirteen year old son watching the movie on TV last week. While it is true that our internet link was down, so he had "nothing else to do", he was enthralled by the movie. In fact, this was not the first time he had watched it on his own. He has grown up in Israel and experienced many of the traumas inherent in today's state from the Second Intifada to the Disengagement to the Second Lebanon War. While doubtless his political opinions fall right of center and he has been educated as a religious Zionist, his genuine identification with the film and some of its core values belies the fact that children of our era cannot be captivated by the simplistic fantasy created by Uris and Hollywood. Even a critical or more complex thinker living in and aware of a more complex world can be swept away by simple truths and powerful stagecraft. All the best, Meshulam Dear Daniel,

I found myself agreeing with your column, until I discovered my thirteen year old son watching the movie on TV last week. While it is true that our internet link was down, so he had “nothing else to do”, he was enthralled by the movie. In fact, this was not the first time he had watched it on his own. He has grown up in Israel and experienced many of the traumas inherent in today’s state from the Second Intifada to the Disengagement to the Second Lebanon War. While doubtless his political opinions fall right of center and he has been educated as a religious Zionist, his genuine identification with the film and some of its core values belies the fact that children of our era cannot be captivated by the simplistic fantasy created by Uris and Hollywood. Even a critical or more complex thinker living in and aware of a more complex world can be swept away by simple truths and powerful stagecraft.

All the best,
Meshulam

]]> By: Alan Goldberg http://danielgordis.org/2010/01/02/the-end-of-the-exodus-era/comment-page-1/#comment-1124 Alan Goldberg Mon, 25 Jan 2010 02:47:50 +0000 http://danielgordis.org/?p=1495#comment-1124 I remember seeing Exodus, and it made my tie to the Jewish State more solid. As a secondary generation American Jew, it made me feel closer to the birthplace of my Zadie. Zadie was born in Jerusalem in 1889. He never referred to himself as a Sabra, even though he could have. He was born under the control of the Ottoman Empire, and considered himself a Palestinian Jew. As an obedient grandchild, I did not contradict his viewpoint. But after watching Exodus, I knew I had a special relationship with the land of Israel. I remember seeing Exodus, and it made my tie to the Jewish State more solid. As a secondary generation American Jew, it made me feel closer to the birthplace of my Zadie.

Zadie was born in Jerusalem in 1889. He never referred to himself as a Sabra, even though he could have. He was born under the control of the Ottoman Empire, and considered himself a Palestinian Jew. As an obedient grandchild, I did not contradict his viewpoint. But after watching Exodus, I knew I had a special relationship with the land of Israel.

]]> By: Dianne Roded http://danielgordis.org/2010/01/02/the-end-of-the-exodus-era/comment-page-1/#comment-1111 Dianne Roded Mon, 18 Jan 2010 22:40:36 +0000 http://danielgordis.org/?p=1495#comment-1111 Your first paragraph completely describes my reaction to the movie. I went with my father on a Friday afternoon after school and it changed my life. Of course I was a child and did not understand the complexities of the situation. It made me a proud Jew who believed in the dream. Unfortunately dreams are often better than the reality but hopefully we can come up with an equitable solution to this seemingly endless state of war and hostility. Your first paragraph completely describes my reaction to the movie. I went with my father on a Friday afternoon after school and it changed my life. Of course I was a child and did not understand the complexities of the situation. It made me a proud Jew who believed in the dream. Unfortunately dreams are often better than the reality but hopefully we can come up with an equitable solution to this seemingly endless state of war and hostility.

]]> By: Marilyn (MIchal) http://danielgordis.org/2010/01/02/the-end-of-the-exodus-era/comment-page-1/#comment-1098 Marilyn (MIchal) Mon, 11 Jan 2010 16:49:53 +0000 http://danielgordis.org/?p=1495#comment-1098 I agree totally with your frustration at how the world views Israel now as opposed to 50 years ago when the movie was made. I believe we should examine how the growing thirst for oil, especially in America and the West, during those years has enabled terrorist supporting regimes to grow richer and richer on the dollars we send them and continue to support not only bullets and bombs but also the hatred and lies that poison so many minds. Three suggestions for each of us to do: 1)Focus on looking for alternate sources of energy (including writing to our representatives in Washington and helping to organize our efforts so that they count), 2)Continue to write and speak the truth about the justness of Israel's cause, including trying to enlist those of Israel's neighbors who themselves see the injustice of the lies that are being spread in order to justfy murder and bloodshed, 3)Pray to Hashem and continue our constant struggle to improve our own personal behavior. I agree totally with your frustration at how the world views Israel now as opposed to 50 years ago when the movie was made. I believe we should examine how the growing thirst for oil, especially in America and the West, during those years has enabled terrorist supporting regimes to grow richer and richer on the dollars we send them and continue to support not only bullets and bombs but also the hatred and lies that poison so many minds.

Three suggestions for each of us to do:

1)Focus on looking for alternate sources of energy (including writing to our representatives in Washington and helping to organize our efforts so that they count),

2)Continue to write and speak the truth about the justness of Israel’s cause, including trying to enlist those of Israel’s neighbors who themselves see the injustice of the lies that are being spread in order to justfy murder and bloodshed,

3)Pray to Hashem and continue our constant struggle to improve our own personal behavior.

]]> By: Bob Yermus http://danielgordis.org/2010/01/02/the-end-of-the-exodus-era/comment-page-1/#comment-1078 Bob Yermus Thu, 07 Jan 2010 07:51:21 +0000 http://danielgordis.org/?p=1495#comment-1078 No arguement - the pace is slow, the storyline is on the sappy side... There are, however, several different exchanges of dialogue that make the viewing worthwhile - several years ago when screening Exodus as part of a 'kiruv' program, I would ask the audience to pay attention to these: when Kitty comes to take Karen from the ship, and discovers that Ari lied to her about Karen being on the ship, and Ari's response; the elderly chess-player who laments that Jews dying is nothing new; when Ari and Kitty drive to his kibbutz and he shows her Emek Yizrael, sharing a bit of Jewish history and pointing out the importance of differences between peoples; when Ari's Arab friend (actor John Derek - the character's name escapes me) comes to warn of the impending Arab invasion, and explains why he cannot stay to fight; Ari's Uncle Akiva (portrayed by David Opatashu; Lee J. Cobb played Barak)- describes Ari in his fight for an independent Israel. I use these in conversations at times in order to make a point (of course, this only works with people who have seen the film). No arguement – the pace is slow, the storyline is on the sappy side… There are, however, several different exchanges of dialogue that make the viewing worthwhile – several years ago when screening Exodus as part of a ‘kiruv’ program, I would ask the audience to pay attention to these: when Kitty comes to take Karen from the ship, and discovers that Ari lied to her about Karen being on the ship, and Ari’s response; the elderly chess-player who laments that Jews dying is nothing new; when Ari and Kitty drive to his kibbutz and he shows her Emek Yizrael, sharing a bit of Jewish history and pointing out the importance of differences between peoples; when Ari’s Arab friend (actor John Derek – the character’s name escapes me) comes to warn of the impending Arab invasion, and explains why he cannot stay to fight; Ari’s Uncle Akiva (portrayed by David Opatashu; Lee J. Cobb played Barak)- describes Ari in his fight for an independent Israel. I use these in conversations at times in order to make a point (of course, this only works with people who have seen the film).

]]> By: David Levine http://danielgordis.org/2010/01/02/the-end-of-the-exodus-era/comment-page-1/#comment-1076 David Levine Thu, 07 Jan 2010 01:12:35 +0000 http://danielgordis.org/?p=1495#comment-1076 I, too, loved the book and the movie "back when". A close friend of the family, David Opatoshu, played the part of Barak Ben Canaan. When the film was being shot in Spain he took his family with him and asked his mother if she would like to go, as well. "I vouldn't go dere!" she exclaimed vehemently. "What's wrong, Mom?" David asked. "You haven't forgiven Franco?" "Franco-Schmanko!I haven't forgiven them for de Inqvisition!" she replied. I, too, loved the book and the movie “back when”. A close friend of the family, David Opatoshu, played the part of Barak Ben Canaan.

When the film was being shot in Spain he took his family with him and asked his mother if she would like to go, as well.
“I vouldn’t go dere!” she exclaimed vehemently.
“What’s wrong, Mom?” David asked. “You haven’t forgiven Franco?”
“Franco-Schmanko!I haven’t forgiven them for de Inqvisition!” she replied.

]]> By: Roslyn Kornbluth Rosenblatt http://danielgordis.org/2010/01/02/the-end-of-the-exodus-era/comment-page-1/#comment-1070 Roslyn Kornbluth Rosenblatt Wed, 06 Jan 2010 05:21:11 +0000 http://danielgordis.org/?p=1495#comment-1070 I was 19 in 1953 when I was part of the 3rd Jewish Agency Summer in Israel program led by Eli Kalm who had served on the Exodus. We flew to Paris, spend a week with people from the JDC who were working with survivors in DP camps, then took the SS Jerusalem to Haifa, accompanying Herzl's body to Israel for reburial. Moshe Sharett was on that voyage. All the sailors were survivors, numbers on their arms, full of stories of their efforts to survive and determined to make Israel work. There was NO CHOICE. There was nowhere else for them to go. The summer was filled with visits with relatives living in Israel, survivors trying to build new lives, liitle food, no meat,and many deep emotions. People were generous with the little they had, offered us showers,(little water),and caring. I communicated in English, French, Yiddish and Spanish. When I returned home to Canada and tried to share my experiences, people really did not want to hear the horrors. When Exodus by Leon Uris was published in 1953, I felt that my sanity had been restored as readers, and there were many, finally got to hear the story. I mark that publication and the movie as the first real awareness by the Galut Jewish masses of the need to truly support Israel. It was historic. I was 19 in 1953 when I was part of the 3rd Jewish Agency Summer in Israel program led by Eli Kalm who had served on the Exodus. We flew to Paris, spend a week with people from the JDC who were working with survivors in DP camps, then took the SS Jerusalem to Haifa, accompanying Herzl’s body to Israel for reburial. Moshe Sharett was on that voyage.
All the sailors were survivors, numbers on their arms, full of stories of their efforts to survive and determined to make Israel work. There was NO CHOICE. There was nowhere else for them to go.
The summer was filled with visits with relatives living in Israel, survivors trying to build new lives, liitle food, no meat,and many deep emotions. People were generous with the little they had, offered us showers,(little water),and caring. I communicated in English, French, Yiddish and Spanish.
When I returned home to Canada and tried to share my experiences, people really did not want to hear the horrors. When Exodus by Leon Uris was published in 1953, I felt that my sanity had been restored as readers, and there were many, finally got to hear the story.
I mark that publication and the movie as the first real awareness by the Galut Jewish masses of the need to truly support Israel. It was historic.

]]> By: Jack Chomsky http://danielgordis.org/2010/01/02/the-end-of-the-exodus-era/comment-page-1/#comment-1069 Jack Chomsky Wed, 06 Jan 2010 05:09:50 +0000 http://danielgordis.org/?p=1495#comment-1069 As is so often the case, Daniel, you have expressed in words that which seems to be beyond words. My favorite turn of phrase from your article: "None of us would write Leon Uris's novel today; but that's no excuse for having no story to tell." And that is everyone's challenge. I think that the pundits and statisticians underestimate the commitment to and affection for Israel of American young people. It's best to remain hopeful -- and to work for things to be hopeful for. As is so often the case, Daniel, you have expressed in words that which seems to be beyond words.

My favorite turn of phrase from your article: “None of us would write Leon Uris’s novel today; but that’s no excuse for having no story to tell.”

And that is everyone’s challenge.

I think that the pundits and statisticians underestimate the commitment to and affection for Israel of American young people.

It’s best to remain hopeful — and to work for things to be hopeful for.

]]> By: Phyllis http://danielgordis.org/2010/01/02/the-end-of-the-exodus-era/comment-page-1/#comment-1068 Phyllis Wed, 06 Jan 2010 04:46:02 +0000 http://danielgordis.org/?p=1495#comment-1068 Your article struck a chord in me as just yesterday I was thinking of the theme song from "Exodus". I believe Pat Boone wrote it. The lyrics say something that is now poliitically incorrect to so many people. "This land is ours..." Who today would dare write that! But isn't that theme at the core of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict? I have never been to Israel and it is my dream one day to see this beautiful land which I believe is our land. Jews, do not give up! Amongst my friends are so many gentiles who believe in Israel and the right and might of the Israeli Jews and Jews everywhere to have a homeland. I wish all Jews would feel passion and pride for Israel. Your article struck a chord in me as just yesterday I was thinking of the theme song from “Exodus”. I believe Pat Boone wrote it. The lyrics say something that is now poliitically incorrect to so many people.
“This land is ours…” Who today would dare write that! But isn’t that theme at the core of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict?
I have never been to Israel and it is my dream one day to see this beautiful land which I believe is our land. Jews, do not give up! Amongst my friends are so many gentiles who believe in Israel and the right and might of the Israeli Jews and Jews everywhere to have a homeland. I wish all Jews would feel passion and pride for
Israel.

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