This afternoon several of us visited an Immigrant Detention Camp: the Atlit Detention Camp.
As Jews attempted to enter Palestine during the Biritish Mandate period, their entrance into the country was restricted. Tens of thousands of detainees, many who have survived the camps, found them self in yet another camp, watiing to be released when the British opened up a certain number of spots on the quota system. Some where held in Haifa and other camps were set up in Cyprus (52,000) About 3000 Jews lost their lives in the struggle with the British.
Once the state of Israel was established in 1948, the camps served as waiting facilities to help new immigrants transition to life in Israel. At these centers, language lessons and job training were offered and Jewish social agencies worked with these new Israelis to find them housing and jobs.
After years of neglect, in 1986 the camp was restored as a national museum. Some of the original dormatory buildings and a recreated ship (similar to the Exodus) are on display. The creative use of film and small stages sets of scenes with animated figures on board the ship help to recreate the difficult environmment experienced by thousands, as they made the crossing to Haifa From the deck of the ship you can see the port of Haifa.
It was quite emotional to see and once again reminded me how fortunate I am to have been born in
a free country. A young woman guide, doing her 2 year national service, was our tour guide. There is great respect for their country's history and the efforts early pioneers who endured such hardship to start a new life and a new country.
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