Photograph album depicting activity of “Torah Chever HaPe’ilim” – “HaPe’ilim”. Eretz Yisrael, [1950s].
The struggle regarding education of immigrant children during first years of establishment of the State resulted in the foundation of “Torah Chever HaPe’ilim”. Its members, named “HaPe’ilim” dealt with the rescuing of immigrant children from compulsory secular education in the Kibbutzim, transit camps and absorption centers for new immigrants. The “Pe’ilim”, usually young Yeshiva students, appeared at the immigrant centers, persuaded the parents and registered their children at educational institutes which they established for this purpose throughout the country. Their activity was fiercely opposed by the establishment, and their disputes frequently erupted into violent arguments, which also included secret operations for the smuggling of children from transit camps and active protest demonstrations.
This album, prepared in honor of Rabbi Asher Feuchtwanger – among rabbis of England and supporter of the “Pe’ilim”, contains an interesting documentation of activists disguised as secular men on their way “to fish out religious children captured by the net of the Kibbutzim”; photographs of youngsters who were “rescued” with captions such as “Amram Toledano – rescued from Kibbutz Ruchama of HaShomer HaTza’ir”. In addition, the album contains photographs of the educational institutes of the “Pe’ilim”: “Yeshivat Be’er Sheva”, “Yeshivat Acre”, and preparatory programs for “survivors of heresy, for a life of Torah and reverence of G-d” in transit camp of Rosh Ha’ayin and in a Tel Aviv neighborhood.
Total of 35 photographs of various sizes. Faux leather Bezalel-style binding; copper plate with embossment of David’s Citadel on cover.