|
Bialik's Visit To Our School:
Late in November, 1930, on a cold, wintry day, the students and
teachers were standing in the square in front of the Gymnasium, wrapped
in overcoats and scarves, waiting for a guest from Eretz Yisrael to
arrive: Chaim Nachman Bialik. This was his second visit (after seven
years), and this time the brass band, the pride of the school, would
receive him. When the band finished playing, it was time to welcome
the visitor. An excited student stepped onto the stage and commenced:
"I was choosed..." (bacharu oti), but the visitor immediately
corrected him: "I was chosen" (bacharu bi), pointing out the mistake
the embarrassed young man had made.
After the welcoming speech,
students recited poems by Bialik which they had learned by heart for
the occasion.
|
|
|
Milka Rabinowitz (the daughter of literature teacher
Urinowski) and Dr. Amalia (Vishnitzki) Klocznik remember to this very
day how excited they were when they stood before the national poet, and
recited his poems. Bialik replied, speaking beautiful Hebrew, but
using the Ashkenazi (European) pronunciation, which grieved some of the
students who were eager to hear the Sephardi (Eastern) pronunciation of
Hebrew used in Eretz Yisrael. The Gymnasium alumni still remember
Bialik's address: one former student reported that the address
centered on the miracle of the revival of Hebrew; another thought it
was about growing-up, and quoted a passage from Bialik's address:
"Fruit grows on trees, but when it ripens it must break free".
The
encounter with the poet made a powerful impression on student
Jezernitzki (Shamir). He was already Prime Minister of Israel when he
attended a meeting of former Gymnasium students to commemorate the 70th
anniversary of the founding of the Gymnasium. Addressing that
gathering, he said: "What a festive day it was! We were elated! Our
Poet had come from Tel-Aviv, and I think that he felt at home in our
midst".
Self-Help:
The Self-Help Organisation became very active in 1930, its crowning
achievement being the low-priced cafeteria. I quote the publication
"Koleinu" (Our Voice) of 1931: "The school has over a hundred poor
students from small provincial towns. Out of these, sixty students get
a decent, nourishing hot meal for 80 pence (a nominal sum), and the
most needy pay nothing. The cafeteria was set up thanks to the
Headmaster, Dr. Zemel, and Dr. Welger, who was in charge of
'Self-Help' and worked very hard to get the cafeteria started; these
two were able to raise the necessary funds. The Gymnasium Committee
built a special wing to house the cafeteria, obtained cooking utensils,
and provided coal to keep the place warm in winter. To raise money in
order to launch the project, the school orchestra (brass band) under
conductor Shkolnikow was asked to perform: their two concerts were
well attended, especially by the parents of students. The 'Self-Help'
also ran a small store where stationery was sold, students could obtain
loans or receive help in an emergency, and most importantly, additional
coaching to help them with their studies".
|
