Our 92 yr old Vice President
The only surviving person to have been present at the declaration of Israeli Independence in 1948 was honoured by Boys Town Jerusalem in March 2008
Arieh Handler, 92, is vice-president of British Friends of Boys Town Jerusalem, and to thank him for the many devoted years of service to the charity, a special celebration highlighting his work and achievements was held at the 18 acre campus in Bayit Vegan, the home of Boys Town Jerusalem.
Handler, who made aliyah at the age of 90 with his wife Hennie, who passed away in 2007, was greeted at the entrance of Boys Town Jerusalem by the Dean, Rabbi Moshe Linchner, his son, Rabbi Meir Linchner, Eddie Wolf, Director of Public Relations and Laurence Stein, Development Director of British Friends of Boys Town Jerusalem.
Inside the school, over 200 of the school’s 800 pupils listened as Rabbi Elimelech Yaakov, Principal of the Junior High School spoke of Mr Handler’s contribution to anglo-Jewry and especially to British Friends of Boys Jerusalem. Both Rabbi Yaakov and Laurence Stein then emphasized how honoured they felt at being in the presence of the only person still alive, who heard David Ben Gurion announce the declaration of Israeli Independence, and that this was a special historical moment for the pupils that they should never forget.
The pupils were even shown Mr Handler’s original invitation to the meeting when Israeli Independence was proclaimed.
Mr Handler then addressed the pupils, reminding them just what a difference Boys Town Jerusalem will make to their lives and has made to thousands of their predecessors. He told them that the quality of the teaching and the atmosphere within the school would aid them in their future, and how proud he was to be involved with the organisation.
Following the ceremony Arieh Handler said, “ I was extremely impressed by the pupils, by the way they listened and the way they asked questions. Life in Israel is extremely tough at the moment, but you wouldn’t know that at Boys Town. I really am most touched at the way I have been looked after and treated today.”
Laurence Stein added, “ It is wonderful that these boys, most of whom come from financially disadvantaged backgrounds and broken homes have now had the privilege of meeting Arieh. He is an astonishing man, so committed to Boys Town Jerusalem and to Israel, and I hope that everytime he looks at the menorah he will remember this special day.”