VIRTUAL JEWISH MUSEUM

UN acceptance

On its third try, Israel was accepted as a member state of the United nations on 11 May 1949. This souvenir envelope celebrates the occasion. Acceptance was conditioned on UN supervision of Jerusalem, which the UN never implemented. And it was conditioned on repatriation of Arab refugees. Israel agreed to facilitate that "on the establishment of peace with the Arab states" which never took place.

UN Membership

The second envelope shows the raising of the Israeli flag. It was issued in 1983 when the UN produced stamps honoring the flags of member countries, and it bears the flag of Israel. Israel's acceptance by the community of nations had political and also religious implications.

29th November.Truman/Silver Combined_edited

29th November 1947 is an historic day when the United Nations voted on partition of Palestine, thus opening the way for a State of Israel. This silver medal on the 20th anniversary honors President Truman and Rabbi A.H. Silver who worked tirelessly for this recognition. Truman recognized the state minutes after its declaration. This was the original '2 state solution'.

First Anniversary.1949

This silvery pendant reads 'Independence Day 1949', and shows a map of the Holy Land. On the back we read 'הועד למען החייל', Agency for Soldier Welfare and their symbol: shield and sword for defense and palm branches yearning for peace.

Israel.Passport

International acceptance of the State means having its documents recognized by other countries. This is Israel's passport, with a blue cover & the seal of the state embossed on it. Fraydel Mais was born in Poland in 1891. She has visas for France & the U.S. Interestingly, besides Hebrew, everything is written in French. That was something of an international language, especially in the Middle East. It was also a rejection of English, as there had been so many clashes during the Mandate.

First Knesset

The national legislature of Israel. The Knesset passes all laws, elects the Prime Minister, approves the cabinet, & supervises the work of the government. Named for the ancient Anshei Knesset HaGedola (Men of the Great Assembly), as does their number of members - 120. Citizens vote for a party, whose members enter the Knesset based on the proportion of votes received. No 1 party (of the 10 or so) has ever received the majority of 61 so they make coalitions. This ticket admits to the first.

Immigration to the New State

Israel immediately began coping with an influx of Jewish refugees from around the world. Well over a hundred thousand from a dozen countries were waiting in DP camps in Europe. Hundreds of thousands more were leaving Moslem countries as their situation deteriorated due to antisemitism. To express it positively, it was 'Kibbutz Galuyot' the Ingathering of the Exiles, mentioned in Jewish prayers for centuries. The JNF assisted in their resettlement using these labels to raise funds.

Immigration From Moslem Lands

The UN declared 1960 World Refugee Year and countries including Israel issued stamps. Operation Magic Carpet, or 'Wings of Eagles' illustrated here brought 49,000 Jews to Israel from Yemen, Aden, Africa, and Saudi Arabia. These refugees are usually forgotten when discussing Arab refugees, because Israel successfully absorbed them, along with 600,000 others by 1950.

Ma'abarot Absorption Camps

To accommodate hundreds of thousands of immigrants, Israel initially housed them in tent camps. These were replaced with Ma'abarot', transition housing, made of tin. Conditions were harsh, plumbing & sanitation were limited. By 1951, 220,000 people were housed in 125 communities. However, by 1963 they were closed, some turned into regular cities or suburbs, with conventional housing. Most of the residents were refugees from North Africa & the Middle East. This envelope was cancelled in 1955.

Yemenite Maabarot letter

This 2 - sided letter the maabarot to Ben Gurion is written in square Yemenite writing on a piece of cardboard box.

Austerity Rations

The huge influx of immigrants strained the country's resources. A period of austerity prevailed from 1949 - 1959. The Ministry of Rationing & Supply managed distribution of resources through rationing. This booklet issued to the Dovidovitz family for November 1950 shows partially used coupons for food. It is issued and stamped by the ministry. They lived in Ramat Hasharon near Tel Aviv.

Ration Coupons

These coupons inside the ration booklet are redeemable for vegetables, fruit, chicken and fish.

Re-using Envelopes

The culture of austerity affected other areas too, such as furniture and clothing. This envelope was mailed twice! First on the 15 of Kislev - 30 November 1955 to Kibbutz Evron, paid with metered postage. 5 days later on 20 Kislev, according to the postmark, the address was crossed out, the envelope turned over, and a label with a new address and stamp were pasted on, this time sent to Nahariya. Frugality in action.

Arab Fundraising

This label is marked ‘10 mil’ representing a donation to the Arab cause. The inscription reads ‘House of Arab Money’, or perhaps ‘Treasury’. The map shows both the West Bank & East Bank (Israel) of the Jordan River. In the heart of Israel is printed diagonally ‘My Country’. In the top circles are their two main institutions of Jerusalem’s Old City: on the right the Dome of the Rock, on the left the ’Church of the Holy Sepulchre’, appealing to both Moslems & Christians for support.

Arab Jerusalem medal.1938_edited

Medalet /charm. 1938. 'Women's Committee of (Old) Jerusalem'. Marking a 50 mil donation to 'Help The Orphans'. Showing the Dome of the Rock and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, appealing both to Arab Moslems and Arab Christians.

Jerusalem Jordan

When the smoke cleared from the cease-fire, Israel held 'new' (west) Jerusalem and Jordan's forces were in control of Old (east) Jerusalem. Jordan did not retreat to its own boundaries, rather occupying the entire West Bank. So this envelope from Australia is addressed to Jerusalem, Old City, Arab Zone, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. At this time, there was no talk of an independent Palestinian state.

Jordan.Jerusalem.Dome of the Rock

This Jordanian banknote is dated 1959. The portrait of King Hussein is on the front. On the back we see the Dome of the Rock. This was always the prize that Hussein wanted when he entered the war - not to conquer Palestine but to control this spot. His grandfather Sharif Hussein of Arabia had controlled the two holy places of Islam - Mecca and Medina. He was ousted in 1924 by the Saudis. Controlling this '3rd holiest place of Islam' was a matter of prestige and honor.

Arab Desecration

Jordanian respect for holy places did not extend to anything Jewish. Once the Arabs had complete control of the Old City, they proceeded to desecrate Jewish Synagogues, Torah scrolls, cemeteries, graves, Yeshivot etc. When Israel regained access to the area in 1967, these images greeted them.

Bak synagogue

The Nisan Bak synagogue of the Hassidim was destroyed down to the foundations.

Yochanan ben Zakkai Shul

The Yochanan ben Zakkai 4 synagogue complex was reduced to hollow shells, used for animals and refuse. This had been the Sepharadi synagogue since the beginning of the 1600s.

Tombstones and Graves

The Mount of Olives has been a Jewish burial site for 3000 years. It contains some 150,000 graves. The Arabs violated thousands of them, some plowed up for farming. Roads were built over them, and parking lots and gas station. The stones were used for construction, including latrines, like those pictured here.

Arab Refugee tent camp

An estimated 750,000 Arab refugees left Palestine in 1948. About a third are housed in 59 camps set up in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Gaza and the West bank. With descendants, the UN counts about about 5 million today. This UN postcard from 1952 shows the tent city camp of Nahr el-Bared in Lebanon. The tents gave way to concrete blockhouses and then ghetto homes similar to their surroundings.

Zarqa Refugee Camp.Jordan

Zarqa refugee camp in Jordan was one of the earliest, established in 1949. This envelope was mailed from there on April 8 of that year. It was routed through Jerusalem and arrived at the American Consulate in Ramallah on the 12th. Israel and Jordan had just signed an armistice agreement on April 3rd. There is a Jordanian censorship stamp on the front of the envelope.

UNRWA Check

The United Nations Relief Works Agency was created to help Palestine refugees. UNRWA is the largest agency of the United Nations, employing over 30,000 staff, 99% of which are Palestinians. It provides education, health care, and social services. There is no attempt to integrate the refugees into existing communities. The agency wrote this check for 1,823 Egyptian pounds in 1955 in Gaza.

UNRWA Envelope

The UNRWA in Lebanon sent this envelope to the American Friends Service Committee. That is a religious organization founded by the Quakers, working for peace and social justice. The descendants of the original refugee population are all regarded as 'refugees' by the UN, now some 5 million people - all stateless. There are 12 refugee camps in Lebanon. Mailed September 1951.

Red Cross Ration Card

CICR is the French abbreviation for the International Red Cross. They issued this assistance card for a Palestinian family of three, ages 48,45, and 14.

Arab Refugee Passport

This passport was specifically issued for Palestinian Refugees by Egypt. It is called 'The United Arab Republic' since it was allied with Syria for a few years. Khalil Ibrahim Khalil was born in 1945 in Yaffo. This passport was issued to him in Gaza in 1962, good for 2 years.

Arab refugee passport

The title page reads in French and Arabic "Document of Travel for Palestinian Refugees in the Gaza Strip". He was still using it in 1965, when he made numerous trips to Kantara, a city on the Western side of the Suez Canal.

Stamps Showing Arab Refugee

Numerous stamps have been issued to maintain awareness of Palestinian refugees. Many of them show the UN Refugee Agency logo of two hands shielding a child. Look for sad mothers, bedraggled children, tattered tents, and an unreachable map of Israel. These were issued by Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait.

Support Palestine Refugees

Both in the Middle East and in Western countries, Palestinians actively seek awareness and support for their cause.

Fedayeen

Various militant Arab groups attacked and harassed Israelis. They see themselves as freedom fighters while Israel sees them as terrorists. They are called 'Fedayeen', meaning self-sacrificers. Groups launched raids from all the surrounding countries but were specifically organized and trained by Egypt. This certificate was to be awarded to such a fighter upon return from 'fulfilling his holy duty on Palestinian soil' in June 1956. it was never completed because he did not return to Egypt.

Album.Holyland

This lottery ticket pictures the Jordanian National guard crossing the Jordan River and attacking from the West Bank (which they hadn’t officially done since 1948). That image was mostly wishful thinking. The caption reads ’A Share to Defend Your Country - National Guard’. The back shows the Dome of the Rock and the ’Holy Sepulcher’ in Old Jerusalem - and a list of prizes. Drawing on June 1956.

Eli Cohen Master Spy

Born in Egypt, Cohen was a Zionist activist. He left due to the increasing anti-semitism in the wake of the Sinai Campaign. The Israeli Mossad intelligence agency recruited and trained Cohen to be a spy in Syria. There he wined & dined high officials, and transmitted military secrets by radio to Israel. He visited the Golan Heights bunker positions & had trees planted to protect soldiers from the sun. Israel found this very helpful in the 1967 war. He was caught & executed in 1965.

Sinai Campaign.BenGurion letter

Prime Minister BenGurion sent this letter to the Secretary of the Israel Teachers Union. It acknowledges a donation of 250,000 Israeli Pounds to the defense fund. "Israel's funds are limited. We can not approach Jews in the Diaspora for funds if the Israeli people don't give, to equip the IDF. Despite our desire for peace we must be ready for war in light of the stream of Soviet weapons to Egypt". Dated 21 February 1956. War actually broke out in October.

Egypt Nationalizes Suez Canal

On 26 July 1956 Egyptian President Nasser nationalized the Suez Canal. At that time he barred Israel from using the canal and also closed the Straits of Tiran to Israeli shipping, and blockaded the Gulf of Aqaba. England, France and Israel began preparing for an invasion of Egypt, to secure the Canal, free shipping, and reduce the Fedayeen attacks.

Suez Canal:An Integral Part of Egypt

This postcard, mailed 17 August 1956, bears the rubber stamp slogan "Suez Canal is an Integral Part of Egypt". True geographically, but it was built by foreign investment, and its shares were held by British and French investors. More importantly, neither of those countries was willing to let this vital waterway be opened or closed at the whim of a mercurial Egyptian leader.

Israeli soldier at Suez

This letter sheet was printed specifically for soldiers on active duty. It suggests "Calm your family;Write them about how you are doing". He writes on 6 November 1956 "Dear Dad and Mom, Peace unto you. I haven't written due to lack of time. I'm in good shape. See you soon. Shlomo." No stamp was needed for soldiers on active duty. The triangular army censor mark is visible on the front. 100,000 soldiers were called up for this short war. 231 died in the fighting.

Israeli Female Soldier

Soldier Yehudit Zilberman wrote in January 1957 "...I have much to tell you...I hope to see you on Shabbat...How are your parents?...". the conflict ended on November 8th but Israel didn't pull out of Sinai until March 1957. The receival cancellation in Tel Aviv dates this card to 6 January 1957.

British Soldier

British troops landed near Port Said and captured it. A British soldier sent this envelope home from there in November 1956. Before long they withdrew under international pressure.

French Soldier

In the middle 1950s, France became a staunch ally of Israel, supplying weapons. After Egypt nationalized the Canal, France decided upon military action in alliance with Israel. France also blamed Nasser for the rebellion in Algeria. French paratroopers helped seize the Suez Canal. Hundreds died in the assault on Egypt and more were wounded. This medal was awarded to soldiers: 'Commemorating the operations in the Middle East 1956'.

Egyptian Soldier Mail

This envelope is addressed to "The Egyptian Army, The Honored Commander of the Sixth Battalion, in El Arish". El Arish is in Eastern Sinai. The square censor mark and the censor tape show that this mail was read before being delivered. Israeli forces conquered El-Arish on November 2nd.

Arab POW letter sheet

Dr. Geore Iskandar from Gaza is writing through the United nations, on an Israeli POW letter sheet. 13 December 1956. "We are all fine. Received your news...Say hello to (a list of family)". Sent to his family in Chobra sistrict of Cairo, Egypt.

Arab POW with censor mark

This one from Egypt Is sent to a soldier. The brief message reads in French: "We are in good health. Send us your news." We see Arab Red Crescent and International Red Cross symbols on this letter.

Arab POW post card

Israel supplied these postcards to Arab POWs. It is addressed to 'My Dear Brother Muhammad Mahmud Said Hashish' and dated 9 January 1957. "I miss you so much, want to see your face, I'm in good health. Send my regards to my dear mom, brothers, father...1000 wishes Salaam Aleikum." Israel exchanged 5500 Egyptian POWs for 4 Israelis.

Israeli POW Held in Egypt

Alexander Rosenberg was held POW by Egypt. He wrote to his family in Tel Aviv on the lettersheet Egypt provided. The message is all in Hebrew. The card seems to be dated 12 February 1956, which is well before the war broke out. However 3 Israelis were captured in pre-war raids and he must be one of those. On the eagle's breast we read 'Republic of Egypt'.

POW.Israeli message

The message is all in Hebrew: "Mother, I'm happy to hear that Thank G-d you are all well. I'm fine, I feel fine, and I'm being treated well. I received the packages and books you sent me...I'm writing every week and waiting for your letters... Purim is coming...have a happy Purim and don't worry...Many kisses...Alexander.

Israeli POW Postcard

This postcard was written in Haifa on 9 January 1957 and sent to Israeli POW Jonathan Etkes in Egypt by way of the Red Cross. Interestingly, it is typed in English and poignantly asks "All the family members are well and worry about you, Why aren't you writing?...I wish to read your writing...With kisses, your father Jacob." Reportedly there were only 4 Israeli POWs in the Sinai war.

Israeli Sinai Campaign Ribbon

This is the campaign ribbon that veterans of the Sinai Campaign were authorized to wear.

Praying for Enemy Downfall

This 500 word prayer asks for enemy defeat. It includes mystical concepts to enlist the wrath of Heaven. 'We curse the leaders of Arab nations who are fighting against us especially Gamal abd al Nasar (Egypt) and Hussein (Jordan) may their name and memory be erased...may they be smitten with all manner of disease and die before month's end...May the Lord protect us; Happy is one who trust in Him; G-d will save us and answer us when we call to Him.'

Egyptian Surrender

This folder commemorates Israel's taking control of Gaza ans the Sinai Peninsula. The map shows some well-known locations and the 'roads' connecting them. We see an Israeli flag waving in Gaza. Reproduced are the surrender letters of the Army Commander and Gaza Governor, dated 2/3 November 1956.

Egyptian Surrender in translation

Here are shown translations of the Surrender letters.

Gaza in Israeli hands

The booklet describes Israel setting up a civilian administration in Gaza. This included postal services. This envelope was mailed in Gaza on 10 December 1956 using Israeli stamps and tri-lingual postmarks. It was mailed from Gaza to Tel Aviv, possibly as a souvenir.

Foreign Troop Withdrawal

British & French paratroopers and commandos took control of the Canal area & Port Said on November 6th. They did meet strong resistance from Egyptian military & civilian fire,with significant casualties. International and US pressure forced them to evacuate on December 12th. This Egyptian stamp with overprint graphically represents that episode. The Arabs regarded it as a great victory against the West and Egypt was left fully in control of the canal. However Israel was denied its use.

Israel Awards French Pilots

Israel awarded this medal to French pilots from the paratroops corps who had helped open the Gulf of Eilat to Israeli shipping. The front shows the symbol of the IDF over conjoined French and Israeli flags. We read in French "Your Right (hand) was my support" (Psalms 18:36). The reverse shows a shield on which is engraved "In profound recognition for his contribution" and BenGurion's signature. It is dated 6 May 1957 which was Independence day that year.

Sinai Campaign Commemorative

Commemorating the 10th anniversary of the Sinai Campaign. The styalizxed IDF symmbol of palm and swordis incorporated into the verse from Kohelet 3:8 - 'There is a time for war and a time for peace'. The reverse shows a vessel in the Canal with the phrase from Proverbs 3:17 - 'and all her pathways are peace'.

United Nations Emergency Force

The United Nations created an 'Emergency Force' to supervise the evacuation of all foreign troops from the Sinai and maintain stability in the area. They were stationed on Egyptian land. They served from 15 November 1956 until Egypt ordered them removed in May 1967, which helped lead to the 6 Day War. 11 nations, including Canada, sent troops, numbering as many as 6,000. This UN stationery envelope was sent from the Sinai to Canada in 1959.

UNEF Coupons and Stamps.56-57

The UN issued its own stamps marking the creation of the Emergency Force in 1957. The coupons were used by troops on duty in the Sinai. They seem to be exchangeable for goods at a military store, and are denominated in Egyptian piastres and pounds.

Egypt Re-opens Canal

This envelope celebrates the re-opening of the Suez Canal, after the war was over. that took place on 8 march 1957. But it was closed to Israeli shipping.

'United Arab Republic'

In the wake of the Sinai Campaign, Nasser enjoyed wide popularity in the Arab world. Syria proposed that they unite and form the beginning of what they envisioned as a pan-Arab state. Agreements were signed on 1 February 1958 as shown on these stamps. They show the 2 countries as connected - with an unmentionable (Israel) entity between them. A similar souvenir envelope was issued by each country a few weeks later. Egypt's total dominance of the union doomed it & Syria withdrew in late 1961.

Egypt Rules Gaza

Egypt is again in control of Gaza (until 1967). This envelope was mailed in Gaza on 20 August 1958, went through Cairo, and then was delivered to the address in Amman Jordan on the 24th. The stamps are Egyptian, also named U(nited) A(rab) R(epublic). Notice that they have been overprinted 'Palestine' in Arabic and English specifically for use in Gaza.

Gaza.Refugee camp.1967

Jabaliya is the largest of Gaza's 8 refugee camps. According to the UNRWA 35,000 Arabs came here after 1948. By now the number has quadrupled. This bank business envelope was sent from Gaza to the camp, near Beit Hanoun in May 1967. The stamps are Egyptian, with 'Palestine' overprints. One stamp labels the entire Israel as 'Palestine'.

87.Help Egypt stamp 1957

East Germany overprinted this stamp in December 1956 with the phrase 'Help Egypt', in the middle of the Sinai War. The '+ 10' means that when buying the stamp one would pay an extra 10 (pfennig) which would go to help the Egypt war effort. Notice this envelope also carries a 'Help Hungary' stamp issued at the same time, as Hungary was in the middle of a revolution against Communism.

48.Arab refugee covers

48a.Arab refugees cover

48c.Arab refugee meter mark

66a.AA.Sinai.British soldier

Tithing Jewish Produce

Running a Jewish country has its challenges, even in times of peace. The Bible commands Jews to tithe their grain, wine, and oil, and give those taxes to Kohanim (Priests) and Levi'im (Levites). In the absence of the Temple, and with most Jews still living outside of Israel, these laws are Rabbinic. Yet they are observed. Here we see the Rishon LeZiyon wine company pouring off the tithe, as Rabbis supervise, before proceeding with bottling.

Tithing

The back of the postcard proudly describes the tithing, on behalf of the 'Great cellars of Rishon Le Zion and Zicron Jacob'.

Shemitah.Heter Mechira

The Torah requires leaving the land fallow every 7th year - ('Shemitah') - with all cultivation forbidden. Whether this applies currently is debatable but traditionally observed. To deal with the hardship, some authorities permit selling land to non-Jews for the year. This letter dated September 1944 specifically endorses such sale, signed by several rabbis in Rechovot.

Preserve Jerusalem's Holiness

Devoutly religious Jews were constantly on guard for actions that defied Jewish law. When the Jerusalem municipality planned to construct a swimming pool that would admit men and women at the same time, they lobbied and demonstrated against it. This printed aerogramme was mailed abroad for support. "Support us for we grow weary in our struggle. SAVE US SAVE US." signed 'The Committee for the Preservation of Religion in the Land of Israel'. 1958.

Observing Shabbat in Wartime

Sabbath observance is especially challenging when the defense of a country is at issue. This poster from Agudat Yisrael declares an 'Urgent Message'. "...any work not required to securely save lives is expressly forbidden violation of the Sabbath even in these times. If unsure, consult a qualified Rabbi". Dated 23 Iyyar 5727 (Six Day War !)

Stop the Busses

Protesting the running of bus service on the Sabbath. “Egged violates the Sabbath non-stop. The Egged Company tramples weekly .. on the Holiness of the Sabbath. The office & the busses violate the Sabbath in plain daylight ...they also invited British police to club Jews who are protecting the honor of the Sabbath. Heaven Forfend.” This was an issue even before the founding of the state, as the date - Adar 1946 - demonstrates. One of the quandaries - how to accommodate non-Sabbath-observers .

Beware Unkosher Meat

It was /is disheartening to observant Jews to see non-kosher meat openly sold in Israel. It sullies their image of a Jewish country and saddens them to see defiance of the tradition. This poster from the winter of 1940 predates the State. "Guard your Souls" Jew - If you patronize a Treif butcher, you contaminate your Jewish soul and body. You desecrate your religion, your country and this Jewish city (Tel Aviv)... See the attached list of local unkosher butchers. signed The Rabbinate".

Buy from reliable butchers

This flyer encourages patronizing trustworthy Jerusalem butchers: "Jewish Wife Remember! Unkosher food pollutes and confounds the heart. Don't (do this) to your children. Buy meat only from these supervised butchers ...". Ten store-owners are listed.

Chazone Ish Opposes Drafting women

R' Avrohom Yeshaya Karelitz, known colloquially as the 'Chazone Ish', led the Haredi, devoutly religious community. This poster from 1952 quotes parts of a sharply-worded letter sent to R' Kalman Kahana, leader of the Poalei Agudas Yisroel party in the government. He excoriates R' Kahana for taking any part in this government decision. A subsequent more conciliatory letter was much less publicized.

Chazone Ish to R' Kalman Kahana.a

A spirit of foolishness has entered you ... the Satan has steered you off the path of proper public service ... You once gave me great joy but now cause me great pain... I pray that you should abandon this business and return to Torah study...

Chazone Ish to R' Kahana.b

... The great pain of drafting our daughters doesn't bother you because you are far from the mindset of our Torah scholars ... this will distance you - and your descendants - from the best of our people .. If you have the strength, resign from the Knesset and return to Torah study.

Drafting women

Although women had fought in the battles leading up to the State, religious parties were against compulsory service for women. This platform of the Mizrachi Religious party states their opposition. An alternative could be 'National Service' in a non-military framework, to meet the country's needs and provide necessary (wo)man- power. Many religious girls in fact perform this service while some choose an exemption based on religious reasons.

Banning T.V.

Dated 1975, this flyer declares T.V. viewing antithetical to Torah values. 'The images potentially portray the 3 cardinal sins of murder, immorality & idol worship, undermining Jewish faith & values'. Signed by Hareidi Rabbinic leaders R' Shach of the Ponevezh Yeshiva and R' Kanievsky (the Steipler Gaon).