That Date Back In 1978 When...
The Prime Minister of Israel and President of Egypt both took political risks to achieve one of the most enduring international treaties in the Middle East in modern times.
“THAT DATE WHEN": This Week in Jewish History
At the beginning of each week, JEWDICIOUS presents our readers with a select set of consequential dates in Jewish history. This feature is a joint venture with our Substack partner, DUST AND STARS, where you can subscribe to receive access to all landmark dates!
🔯 Monday, September 16/Elul 13:
1924 - Birthday of Lauren Bacall (Betty Perske), American actress known for her alluring, sultry presence and her distinctive, husky voice. Bacall, one of the last surviving major stars from the Golden Age of Hollywood, won an Academy Honorary Award, two Tonys and a Golden Globe. She married Humphrey Bogart, the co-star in her first movie, and is still most associated with their early movie classics such as To Have and Have Not, The Big Sleep and Key Largo.
🔯 Tuesday, September 17/Elul 14:
1978 - The Camp David Accords were signed by Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and US President Jimmy Carter. The accords, based on the principle of total withdrawal for total peace including diplomatic ties, open borders and trade relations, led to a formal peace treaty.
Prime Minister Menachem Begin that day:
“Men and women of good will have labored day and night to bring about this happy moment. Egyptians and Israelis alike pursued their sacred goal, undeterred by difficulties and complications. Hundreds of dedicated individuals on both sides have given generously of their thought and effort to translate the cherished dream into a living reality.”
🔯 Wednesday, September 18/Elul 15
1862 - Rabbi Jacob Frankel, appointed a military hospital chaplain, was the first American rabbi in the U.S. Chaplaincy. At the time, there was much controversy over this being permitted. Frankel’s fellow clergymen nominated him on this date, and President Lincoln signed the commission. Frankel, knows as “sweet singer of Israel,” served as Army chaplain and would chant and pray with hospitalized and other injured soldiers.
🔯 Thursday, September 19/Elul 16:
1921 - Isaac ‘Daddy’ Ochberg and 200 orphans from the Ukraine that met the requirements of the South African government arrived in Cape Town from London to a tumultuous welcome. These orphans, who were amongst the thousands resulting from WW 1 and the ongoing pogroms, survived only as a result of the persistence and determination of Ochberg. Many grew up to become pillars of the South African Jewish community.
🔯 Friday, September 20/Elul 17:
1944 - After a long battle by Chaim Weizmann and Moshe Sharett, the British High Command agreed to the establishment of the Jewish Brigade Group to fight alongside British troops to liberate Italy. In all, over 5,000 people from pre-state Israel (including many who had fled from Europe) enlisted, 700 of whom would lose their lives.
🔯 Saturday, September 21/Elul 18:
1922 - President Warren G. Harding signed the Lodge-Fish Joint Resolution of Congress, "favoring the establishment in Palestine of a National Home for the Jewish People.”
🔯 Sunday, September 22/Elul 19:
1924 - Several thousand Zionists were arrested by the Soviet secret police on this and several other nights in 1924 as the newly empowered Joseph Stalin sought to crack down on all political parties and tendencies other than the communists (more at JewishCurrents). Those arrested were exiled to remote areas, including Siberia (although some were permitted to leave for Palestine, instead, as part of the Fourth Aliyah, which brought some 80,000 Jews to Palestine between 1924 and 1928).
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