KFAR BLUM
VOLUNTEERS
THE UNOFFICIAL "ALUMNI"
SITE FOR EX-KFAR BLUMERS |
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Welcome to the unofficial
website for former Kfar Blum Volunteers. This website seeks to link together
the thousands of former Kfar Blum volunteers (and ulpanim) from across the globe, who over
the past half-century, spent a short, but usually extremely memorable, portion of their
lives on Kfar Blum, a -- THE -- kibbutz in Northern Israel!
Inspired by Laurie (Schechter) Rimon's "Kfar Blum American Class
Alumni" website, this site opened in September 2000 with just two names and
emails. Almost eight years later, this site lists the names and emails of
some
400 Kfar Blum 'Alumni', and continues to grow.
If YOU were ever on Kfar Blum -- either as a
volunteer; or on the Ulpan; Habonim; are an ex-member; etc please add your name to
the growing list of Kfar Blum "alumni" by contacting
Kfarblum@hotmail.com.
You can also help by telling others about this site and urging
those you tell, to in turn tell others.
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NEWS
FROM KFAR BLUM AND ISRAEL |
TO
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Passover 5768 (APRIL 2008): Chag Sameach to Everyone!
Well Worth Checking
out:
Kfar Blum
official Photo Archives
with some truly wonderful photos.
SITE UPDATES
While this website's frontpage continues to be
updated, other sections have NOT been updated. To see if a
particular person has "signed up," you need to scroll through the list of
people on this front page AND also go to the 2000-2002 Signing Up (The "by decade" or" by country" sections have
NOT been updated for 2-3 years)
KFAR BLUM'S VOLUNTEER PROGRAMME ENDS
In March 2003, came this stunning news from Laurie (Schechter) Rimon:
"As of 2002, there are no more volunteers on Kfar Blum."
Thus ended a fantasy of many: Of one day returning to the kibbutz as an aging
volunteer - or of sending our children to relive the dream
YEHUDA SHAGAM
- RIP
Those who were on Kfar Blum during the early 1970s, will
well remember volunteer head, Yehuda Shagam...: "Obituary: To
all our friends- Yehuda Shagam passed away on the 18.2.2002 ... Yehudit "
(Yehudit Hameiri
yehudith-h@kbm.org.il )
KIBBUTZ ARCHIVIST
Message From Kibbutz Member,
Shimon Schwartz, in chargeof Kfar Blum archives: """Please inform
anybody that would like specific information about the kibbutz today or in the
past or members of the kibbutz today (or those that have passed away)... to feel free
to contact me at hamutal_@kbm.org.il and I will do my best to help them.
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EX-VOLUNTEERS
WHO RECENTLY "SIGNED UP" |
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EDITOR'S NOTE: PROFOUND APOLOGIES OVER THE DELAY IN UPDATING
THIS SITE.
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April:
2008 - Change of E Mail - Zvi Schulman I was in the ulpan in 1971 and remained
in Kfar Blum as a member of the kibbutz. Please update my e-mail:
sohulm_n@kbm.org.il
APRIL 2008 - Calire Vogelhut (Claire
Malliaris)
Hi ! My name was Claire Vogelhut when I was an
ulpan student at Kfar Blum, January - June of '76. My name now is
Claire Malliaris and my email is
eclair48@shaw.ca I'd appreciate being added to the list.
Thanks, Claire
March 2008
David Walsh -
david_walsh@depaultrust.net
My name is
David Walsh from Ireland I lived at Kafar
Blum from August 1984 to March 1985 I have very fond memoirs of my time
there I remember Erik from Sweden Tony from England Tim from England and
many more .
Regards
David
Marilie (Bohlmann) Randewijk Marilie.Randewijk@eskom.co.za
Hallo, I was a volunteer from March to June 1987. I never thought there would
be a chance to make contact with this 'chapter' of my life again - thanks for the
chance!
I worked with 6 of the 1-2 year old children and wonder what became of
them? I also worked in the guest house (and still make my bed in the way I was
taught there...) I remember Norma Sive (head of the kitchen), Danny (volunteer leader at
the time) and Rita (head of the cleaners in the hotel) and hope they are well! The
outings for the volunteers to Haifa, the waterfall (?) and surrounding towns, swimming in
the Jordan river and jogging next to the cotton plantations are still fond
memories!
I wonder what happend to 'Angel' and 'Luis' (of Spain) and 'Mark' of
London...
I am now married to Peter-Jan Randewijk and have two children (girl and
boy). I am working as an electrical engineer in a suburb near Cape Town.
Marilie (Bohlmann) Randewijk
Arthur S. Bickel asbickel@netvision.net.il
I was a volunteer during the Summer of 1962 with a group of Americans.
From: forselwyn@hotmail.com
To: kfarblum@hotmail.com
Subject: Pioneer
Date: Thu, 20 Mar 2008 12:29:56 +0000
Hi there
My great aunt, then Brina or 'Stella' Mayerovitch, was a pioneer of Kva
Blum in the Thirties - I believe. Do you have any information about her -
I met with her 20 years ago in Israel but have lost touch - her daughter
is Ruthie - unfortunately I have no recent surnames.
Regards
Selwyn Foreman Stanmore
London UK +44 7958 127 925I now live in Ramat Beit Shemesh. Arthur
From: jpm.cons@prentrom.com
To: Kfarblum@hotmail.com
Subject: Goldie Hurwitz
Date: Sat, 8 Mar 2008 16:01:14 -0500
In going through
letters left by my mother Esther Duker Pollack, there is
correspondence with Goldie Hurwitz, who went to Kfar Blum after
graduation from Radcliffe College in 1937. Might Goldie Hurwitz still
be living?
Thanks very much,
Judith Pollack Meyer
Change
of Email: Stuart Boyle
Can you please change change my details (E-mail address) from stuartboyle@hotmail.com to sebby@policeoracle.com Thanks Stuart Boyle London England
My name is Enno Kim and I was
a stagier in 1988/1989 and I was working the most of the time in the Guesthouse. I follow
the news in your region always. But with the new situation a I am focus a lot. My special
interest of course is Kibbutz Kfar Blum. I hope that no one is injured and that everyone
is save in the bunkers. I hope that the situation will increase en that there will be
peace in your area.
With Love Enno Kim -The Netherlands EARKIM@versatel.nl
CHANGE: Judy Cherney -
jrcherney@comcast.net - Updated
e-mail Hey
there, If possible, I would like my e-mail updated. I was in the American Class.
1972-1973 & a volunteer in 1981 Thanks, Judy Cherney
My name is Judy Gostin and I lived on Kfar Blum in the 70's.
From: jrcherney@comcast.net
Sent: 12/1/2007 2:10:02 A.M. Eastern Standard Time
Subj: Udate
I was a volunteer in the 1980's. My e-mail address is:
jrcherney@comcast.net. Thanks, Judy Cherney
Subject: Habonim Workshop 1955-56
Date: Mon, 7 Jan 2008 14:49:46 -0500
From: mdavis4574@aol.com
I found your website and wanted my name added to the list. I attended
the Habonim Workshop at Kfar Blum 1955-56. If you know of others who
were there at the same time please let me know. I found Lois Ostrov's
name but her email address has changed. Do you have an updated list.
Thanks
Milt Davis
445 Shore Road
Cape Neddick, ME 03902
mdavis4574@aol.com
From: geepee@westnet.com.au
Reply-to: gaylepotter@gmail.com
Sent: 12/15/2007 10:28:42 P.M. Eastern Standard Time
Subj: Ancient History
Shalom,
I was a volunteer at Kfar Blum in 1958! Initially I came with a group of
fellow Australian "Shaham" volunteers to Kibbutz Erez in Sha'ar HaNegev
in March 1957. After I year I decided to explore some other kibbutzim
and went to Kfar Blum. My experience was rather mixed after Erez. I was
a bit put off because no one would speak Hebrew, "raq anglit," also, I
found the weather a bit cool for my liking. So I headed down to kibbutz
Yotvata near Eilat where the climate was much to my preference and
everyone spoke "raq ivrit!" Then I spent a few years on Kibbutz Dorot
which is near Erez and enjoyed that experience also. A few years in Tel
Aviv and Akka, then 7 years in the UK before returning home to Oz.
Sincerely,
December 2007 - From:
gaylepotter@gmail.com
GAYLE RICHARDES-POTTER
1957 -1961.
We were a group of nine
young Australians who arrived at midnight at Haifa by sea via South
Africa, France and Italy, in March 1957. We were on a scheme called
Shakham or Sherút Kherúm which entailed one year of voluntary
service on a kibbutz. I was the only non-Jewish member and, while all the
others returned home after the year, I remained for over four years.
Upon our arrival we split
into groups going to different kibbutzim. Three of us went to kibbutz Erez
where we arrived in a truck just before dawn. Erez was a young part
agricultural settlement and part military outpost situated on the Gaza
Strip. The membership was almost entirely young Israeli born Sabras and I
learned Hebrew very quickly until some mistook me for a local. I still
have the text books we learned from - Eleph Milím,
א
and
ב
Israel was only 9 years old, the dust was
still settling after the 1956 Suez Campaign, and I did my share of night
guard duty. I have a medal awarded to those who did volunteer para-military
service at that time (border guarding). I had many adventures. They were
years full of happiness and I came alive in Israel. The climate and the
land were so similar to what I knew from home and the Israelis (back
then!) and the Australians (back then!) had very similar national
characters. I met PM Ben Gurion and Golda Meir and once, when hitch-hiking
deep in the Negev, I was picked up by Chief of Staff Col. Moshe Dayan who
told me how he had lost his eye when serving with an Australian army unit
in Syria during WW2.
After Erez I went to Kfar Blum in
1958. It was a mixed experience for there were no Sabras and the
members were mostly from the UK or South Africa. Everyone spoke rak
anglit and I wanted to speak raq ivrit! I guess I felt rather
uncomfortable in a social environment that was different to anything I had
known – very cool and reserved. Things must have changed a lot since then.
Also the climate, although summer, was too cool for me so I headed for
kibbutz Yotvata down near Eilat where I was very happy. Then I spent two
years on kibbutz Dorot from which I retain treasured memories. Dorot is a
neighbor to Erez. Finally, working in Tel Aviv and Akka before going to
the UK for 7 years where I became a Registered Nurse, studied Arabic,
married, and returned to Australia in 1968. I live in Perth, Western
Australia. Sadly, I have never been able to afford to return – but the
changes may be too much for me.
I see other members listed from the 1950s.
How about creating a 1950s listing? What a shame my other kibbutzim do not
have a similar 'keep in touch' scheme.
gaylepotter@gmail.com
Barbara
Cramer (formerly Barbara Seidman) Please add me to the list of Kfar Blum
Alumni. I was there as a volunteer in 1983. April - August, 1983
Los
Angeles, California USA cramerb@swbell.net
Barbara Neuerman - Very happy to have found your web
page....I have been trying to find out news of the conditions at the Kibbutz...this has
stirred many fond memories for me and I want to know if one can make a contribution
directly to the Kibbutz to rebuild. Here is my information to be added to the site.
Barbara Strauss Neuerman. Kfar Blum Volunteer thru the Isreali labor organization
(Histadrut), July 1968. bneuerman@hotmail.com
Please let me know when and where we can send a donation to Kfar Blum to rebuild.
Yvette Zindel /van der graaf agleska@wanadoo.nl
Hey -I was in the kfar blum kibbutz
Any others you know from ‘98 I think it was ;) ciao Yvette Zindel /van der graaf agleska@wanadoo.nl
JULY 2006
Susan Purks (now Heck).
I was a volunteer for most of 1972, Baltimore, MD. It was the most memorable year of
my life. I loved meeting young people from all over the globe - Russia, Australia,
England, Holland, South Africa and more. What a great time in our lives -- listening
and singing along with each other, and Crosby, Stills & Nash. Hitchhiking around
the country, floating in the Dead Sea, snorkeling in the Red Sea, walking along the alleys
of the old city of Jerusalem, getting falafel in Kiryat Shamona, Friday night dances in
the dining room at Kfar Blum "and now, a cha cha." I'd love to hear
from Janice from Skokey if you read this! Foofoo1223@aol.com
Leta
Hillman
Hello, - I was a volunteer and ulpan participant from late 1972 until
the summer of 1973. I returned home to join the Garin to Kibbutz Gezer and returned to
assist Shoshana Cohen in the Moadon following the 1973 War. Aki Cohen and Hannah were my
kibbutz parents. My roommate was Beatriz who married Ofer ( I still have pictures
from their kibbutz wedding). Wonderful memories from long ago. I am married now and
reside in a suburb of San Francisco and work at the
Univ. of California,
Berkeley.Contact
Details: Leta
Hillman
leta.hill@hotmail.com
(And resent by Leta Hillman) -
I came across this site and am adding my
name. I was first in the Ulpan from 1972 through 1973, then stayed as a
volunteer until I made Aliyah to Kibbutz Gezer in 1973. Returned following the
end of the October 1973 to assist Shoshanah Cohen in the Moadan. Aki and Hannah
Cohen were my Kibbutz parents. I now live near San Francisco and work at UC Berkeley
(if you are local, you can look me up). My roommate was Beatrice Presser? from
NY who married Ofer- I still have the photos. I still have very fond memories of the time
spent here and have returned as a tourist several time -
Leta Hillman leta.hill@hotmail.com
Hello, My name is Lisa
Mann and I was a voluteer from 7/73-4/74. I stumbled across your
website but I thought I should add my name. The best experience of my live!! I live in San
Rafael, CA, now. Please add me to the '70's group. Sincerely, Lisa Mann lulumann@excite.com
Name: Anders Zilliacus
When: June-August 1981 From: Helsinki, Finland Current: Helsinki,
Finland E-mail: anderszilliacus@hotmail.com
Jeannette.Azra - I was in Israel at Kibbutz Yiron in
1968-1969. I am looking for Brenda Baumgarten…Does this name sound
familiar...She move to Kibbutz Kfar Blum in 1968-1969 from Canada. My e-mail address is jaazra@msn.com
Hi,
my husband, Mark Melin (USA,
Jan 77 till Aug 77) and I, Mirjam Nieuwendijk (Holland,
March 77 till Aug 77) were both volunteers at Kfar Blum. We got married in
Holland
in 1978 and moved to Wisconsin.
We have 3 sons, Kyle, Travis and Dylan. Life has been good to us. We sure have many
wonderfull memories of Kfar Blum. Mark worked in the chicken barns and the pool. I worked
in the kitchen, dining room and orchards. W would love to hear from anyone who was
ther during the first half of 77 mmmelin@charter.net
SEARCHING - Tarja Jalaya - Hi I´m looking for my friend, who was an
ulpanist 1976 . I am not able to get to write my message : looking for friend.
best regards to Laurie and I hope to find the way to write to my friend, whom I am
looking for, Kerri Krieger is her name my name is Tarja Jalava
from Finland, I used to work with Laurie at the *mifal* misrad sinikatar@hotmail.com
April:2006 - Cordpivet
My name is Marie Berenbaum . I was in kfar Blum in 1956 - 57 I would like to know if there are still any of the Vardi family
living in the kibbutz. The names are Rifka and Ishiyahu Vardi They used to live previously in Kfar Daniel before moving to Kfar
Blum.
Kind Regards Marie
Now M. Churney
Tara Anchel, Hi, I was at Kfar Blum from March
- May 1993 and would love to get in touch with some of the people I volunteered
with. My info is: Tara Anchel, now in Toronto, Canada, taranchel@gmail.com
Thanks so much. Tara
DAVID WALSH irish -1/4/2006
I STAYED AT KFAR BLUM
FROM SEP 84 toAPRIL 85
2005
Hello to Everyone at Kfar Blum --
My name now -- and then -- is Nora Kavner. I was a volunteer during the summers of 1968
and 1969. My time as a volunteer at Kfar Blum includes some of the happiest memories of my
life. I send all my best wishes to friends that I had then who may still be around at Kfar
Blum. I am from Los Angeles, and, after living in several other places, I now live in Los
Angeles. My e-mail name is NKavner@hotmail.com.
I am happy to have found this site.
My name is Steve Fistell. I was a volunteer for only 5 weeks in the winter of 84. I was
one of the oldest volunteers then, maybe the oldest at age 36. It felt like home.
stevenfistell@sympatico.ca
From: "Matthew Winter" <matt_winter@hotmail.com>To: <hamutal_@kbm.org.il>Sent:
Thursday, September 08, 2005 3:46 PMSubject: Kibbutz Kfar Blum>I stumbled across your
site as I have many happy memories of Kfar Blum. I >was a volonteer there from November
1988 to March 1989 and much to my >regret didn't go back after "doing" Egypt
for a couple of months. Please >feel free to add me to your list, I live in London, Uk
and am British born >and bred. If you would like any more info oplease feel free to
contact me.>> Kind Regards>> Matt Winter
please add me on to your list of vtsitors .Krystal Kolnik I visited in 1995...and i am
from South Africa info@capefishing.co.za
there is a new site a memorial site for nehmia levanon a member of the kibbutz that passed
away. the site is in hebrew and english,in it is nehmaias book the road to the jordan that
deals mainly with the beginning of kfar blum. in the hrbrew part there are pop ups of
memorial pages for members mention in the the book that have since passed away/
you might find intrest in this site. the url of the english site is http://www.nechemia.org/nechemia.html
shimon
Hi,My name is Anders Zilliacus and i was in Kfar Blum between
june-august -81. I am from Helsinki, Finland and my e-mail address is: anderszilliacus@hotmail.com Kind regards
Hi,My name is Beth Fletcher and I was a volunteer at Kfar Blum in
1993 fromabout mid Februrary until end March. I had a wonderful time there - myfavourite
job was milking the cows! I am originally from Australia but nowliving in Amsterdam and
hope to go back to Israel for a visit one day.Cheers,Beth Beth.Fletcher@cliffordchance.com
My name is Barry (Dov) Landzbaum from Chicago. I was at KB with
Stu Brandhandler; we arrived at KB together, but I left the ulpan a month or so early. Our
ulpan teacher was Rivka Arzi (z"l). She was so good that, thanks to her and others,
I've taught Hebrew at ulpanim.
Regards to the Rimons, the Gelbs and the Henigs.
I've been living in Arad since 1980. I'm married and have 3 children.
All the best.
Barry (Dov) LandzbaumCertified Translator & English Teacher08-9959239; 054-4859239
landztranz@surfree.net.il
My name is Raymond Brightwell. I am from New Zealand. I
volunteered at Kfar Blum from October 89 to late 1990. I have so many good memories of my
time there.(One year) The weather, the birds migrating, the apple orchards. The whole
experience is one I can never forget. It was probably the most exhilarating year of my
life. What a shame it is no more. I wonder why Kfar Blum took that step. I still have
contact with some members from there and even had some kibbutz kids come to stay with me.
NAME;: Hiroshi SAITO
EMAIL ADDRESS:wrenestudio@charter.net
WHEN YOU WERE ON KFAR BLUM: 1967 Jul-Dec
WHERE YOU ARE FROM: JAPAN (with a group of 10+ Japanese )
Habonim 5th Workshop at K'far Blum, Eddie Parsons Madrich 1955-56
Roz (Rozzy Adin) Vogelfangerrozelliot@webtv.netNewport Coast(Beach)
CAThere were 3 of us on our Workshop and the program was similar to whatDebby N. (Kallen)
described.I'm originally from Brooklyn, NY - Crown Heights and then Daroma. ThenLA., 11
yrs NJ. 24 years in Houston, TX and now CA again.We just returned from Israel 7/10/05 with
our three grandson's and theirparents on a B'nai Mitzvah tour which unexpectedly and
happily included2 nights at K'far Blum which is greatly changed from the "old
days". Wewere unable to arrange the time to see Pinchas Rimon (shaliach to NY-K'far
Blumer,etc.) I was delighted that my kibbutz "ima"(more like a bigsister)
Stephie who was married to Sticky(formerly from Great Britain,now deceased) was there and
entertained us beautifully. Stephie foryears had much responsibility for aspects of the
Guest house which nowhas some 140 rooms and is lovely. Hers is the only family with 4
(four)generations living at K'far Blum!
my name is maurice r steif, also known as butch, and the members called me
moishe. i was a mitnadev from september 73 till dec 75. originally from the
bronx, nyc, but now live in new jersey. i arrrived 1 week before the melchamah started.
i worked in the apple orchards and all the regular jobs, but i was the one who rebuilt the
beds and frames and cleaned up in the miklateem....also played bass guitar at a wedding
and some functions with a guitar player and drummer who's names i cannot remember....
i am visiting israel next week and would like to stop by and see what is doing...
thanks very much
maurice moshe butch steif
livingston nj mench44@aol.com
I lived in Kfar Blum in '85 and have to say it was as home as home can be.. I'm now living
in NYC with my wife and two kids. I went back to Israel as part of our honeymoon and of
course visited "home" and introduced my wife to yaffa (Gal) my
"mother" on the Kibbutz. I was glad to see this site exists but sorry to hear
the volunteer program does not. The time I shared with the members and volunteers will
always be a part of who I am today..Russ T FisherRuss T FisherOne
Fish Two Fish Productions300 E. 93rd St. #8BNew York NY 10128Cell 917 837-7105Office 212
534-6542
APRIL 2005
I think I was there in 1961 on an AZO trip-I remember swimming in the
Jordan river and picking cotton. Surprised to see this site. JoanIPS@aol.com
I
started out as an Ulpan member and stayed on thanks to Yehuda as a volunteer. I was there
June 1974-May 1975 and again during the summer of 1977. I came to the kibbutz one person
and left another.
I have
been working in a hospital in Boston for the past 27 years. I worked first as a nurse and
now ( 20 years) as a Nurse Pracitioner.. I still remember the katusah blues and many
tiuls with Yehuda..... I wish you all peace..
I think I have sent the information long time ago, but as I am not on the
list - here it is again:
Jannie Christiansen, Denmark, jc@askegaarden.dk
I was in Kfar Blum from October 1995 to January 1996. Great fun.
FEBRUARY
My name is Avi(Hendrik)
Muydernan and I was in the Ulpan 1972-1973. I was 17 and the
youngest there I remember names like Lyle Sumner from Canada and Rob Peper from Holland.
From there I went into the army and sde nehemia avipraha@hotmail.com
I came as a 17 year old oleh hadash to the ulpan from
Holland.
I was the youngest there and remember names as
Lyle Sumner from Canada and Rob Peper from Holland A scottish guy working at the laundry
with his hebrew in a scottish accent and ofcopurse my boss David Weinstein.The year was
1972-1973
Hi, My
name is Lindi Rudnicki (nee Giger) I have posted a message, but would like
to update it. I was on Kfar Blum in 1990, as part of the Habonim Dror Southern
Africa Machon Group. I was adopted by Dubi and Sara Ben Ari, and our group leader
was the late Barney Rod. I am living I Johannesburg, South Africa, with my husband
Michael, and our two gorgeous children Hannah who is 6 and Jake who is 3. Would love
to hear from anyone who remembers me on Michael.rudnicki@kpmg.co.za Michael
Rudnicki
Brad
Pollock (braddpollock@yahoo.com)
and Roland Pelke (rpelke@davert.de)
asked me, Mike Lengle (mikelengle@hotmail.com) to list them
on the Kfar Blum volunteer site. We were volunteers in 1990. We have fond
memories of lots of goldstar, arak and maccabee; football outside the dining hall;
hitch hiking and exploring the galilee; peeling potatoes in the kitchen; weekly trips to
the volunteer pub in kiryat shemona; swimming in the jordan, as well as late at night in
the pool; all our international friends. Brad, Roland and I have visited each other
several times over the years, and are planning a reunion in Germany in 2006 for the World
Cup.
Julie M Freedman I just checked the Kfar Blum alums..just wanted to
make sure at some point I am included..My years there were 1973-74, and summer 1977. Be
well
My name's Isaac Kohler, and I was in the ulpan Sept. 95 thru
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