Religious MKs are dealing with a halachic problem, Dutch are impressed with sewing made in Israel, and hotel owners are making a check on tourists • What happened this week

• Prof. Laudermilk (center) with Labor Minister Golda Meir (left) at an event in Tel Aviv

"Herzl Christian" cares about water in Israel

This week 70 years ago he came to Israel, under the invitation of the Ministry of Agriculture, Professor Walter Clay Laudermilk, a well-known international expert in water engineering and soil conservation. He came to help develop irrigation programs in Israel at a national level.

Although not a Jew, Laudermilk called himself an "enthusiastic Zionist" and, following his previous visit to Israel, he published, in 1944, a book called "Palestine, Land of Promise", which detailed his vision of the future of Israel in various fields. . His book became popular and influential, until it became known to Laudermilk the nickname "Christian Herzl."

The main event held by the Ministry of Agriculture on the occasion of a visit to Uddermilk was held at the "Tent there" hall in Tel Aviv, which was packed here. "The war for Israel's independence is over, and now the war on the land occupation must be continued with full force," Laudermilk declared, adding: "My plan consists of eight stages, and its implementation will guarantee redemption of 1.6 million dunams (five times the size of the Upper Galilee today; DS). Deserted to fertile agricultural land. "

Not all of Laudermilk's plans have been fulfilled, including a plan to inject water from the Jordan River in the sick area toward a point north of Haifa, and from there along the southern coastal plain (although the continuation of the line, from Yarkon to the Negev, was carried out in the 1950s).

Laudermilk's extraordinary vision and comprehensive way of thinking, along with a wealth of thoughtful ideas and extensive experience, have given the developers of the water infrastructure in the country the courage, vigor and confidence in their work. These were reflected in the major national projects set up in the years that followed, including the Yarkon Negev plant and the national carrier.

Professor Laudermilk headed the Technion's Faculty of Agricultural Engineering in the 1950s, named after him, until it closed in 2002. He passed away in the United States in 1974, at the age of 86, and in his memory was established the "Laudermilk Observatory," which overlooks the Netofa Valley.

Orchestras for events and ships: The Israel Musicians' Organization was established

In Tel Aviv, 70 years ago, a professional musicians' organization was established this week, to which 400 musicians joined, headed by violinist Yerachmiel Messing.

The organization connected its members to small groups of 4-2 musicians, compiled and edited the Israeli musicians' catalog, and made sure to market them in cafes and hotels with spacious spaces or a back garden, which allowed the placement of a small musical composition for customer enjoyment.

The organization also established contacts with organists in the Mediterranean basin, and many Israeli bands were invited to perform abroad. In addition, Israeli musicians began playing on board the three passenger ships and touring operated by Zim in 1950 - "Negba", "Earth" and " scroll".

With the relief of austerity policy in 1953-1952, there was a significant increase in the number of family events and joys that accompanied a small orchestra.

At the Noga Cafe, which is adjacent to the Mugrabi cinema in Tel Aviv, a popular "stock exchange" of musicians and musicians has developed over the years. These would arrive in droves in the late morning and meet with their friends and "contractors" - who mediated the events.

A big popular music contractor back then was Haim Saban, later a lion band cist and a world-wide businessman. In addition, many of the Israeli pop bands of the 1960s began working on the Naga Music Exchange for about 25 years.

New: Israeli fashion show abroad

On March 29, 1950, a large crowd of people filled the International Cultural Center in Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, where a first overseas display of Israeli fashion took place.

Thanks to Israeli fashion historian Ayla Raz, for her assistance

Washing hands - with soda

On March 31, 1950, a Knesset spokesman issued a statement: "Water came to mind." The announcement included a report that the water pipeline in the Knesset building failed, and for two days no water was coming to the "Beit Promin" faucets, the place of residence of the Knesset in Jerusalem in those days. The spokesman added that "a problem has now arisen regarding the taking of hands, without which the members of the Knesset traditionalists cannot sit down for their supper at the Knesset buffet. They have no choice but to purchase soda bottles in order to fulfill the commandment."

Noodles became dollars

An American tourist who went to a private party in Tel Aviv this week 70 years ago told those present that "just this week I learned that noodles are such a staple in Israel."

The tourist explained that a few days earlier, while sitting in "Tiferet" cafe, police burst into the scene and searched the vans. When asked one of the police officers what exactly they were looking for, the policeman replied: "I'm looking for a noodle" (noodles).

The party people responded with a burst of laughter at the innocent ignorance of the tourist, since the term "lochan" at that time was a nickname affixed in the vernacular to dollar bills.

It is expensive to call America

On March 29, 1950, the US Consul in Tel Aviv contacted Transportation Minister David Remez, who was also responsible for mail and telephone, complaining about "the outrageous prices charged by American tourists in hotels for every minute of conversation to the US." The consul added that "this phenomenon runs counter to Israel's desire to encourage incoming tourism."

Minister Remez promised to look into the matter, but added that "any tourist from America wishing to make a transatlantic call is welcome to go to the Central Post Office and book a call to America at much lesser prices."

Center in Israel Post, 1950s

Disappearing / Neighborhood Games

nuts

In those times, before Passover, every child knew about a dozen social games around the nut. The most popular was simply called "nuts": the players would lean a wooden board against the wall, inclining, and each would put his own nut next to it. By now, every player was, by turn, a nut in front of the board, and if his nut hit another nut on the floor - he would "pass" immediately to his possession. The game had another version, in which one nut hit was enough to win the offending all nuts.

Illustration: Eitan Front. Online nostalgia site archive

Consumer / items since

Folding bed

In the past, when the apartments were small, guests who came to visit from another city, especially during the holidays, stayed overnight in the host family's house on a folding bed. It was stored behind the closet or in the booth, and opened according to hospitality needs. Some called this bed a "mother-in-law", as it was enough to put the mother-in-law one night on the uncomfortable bed - and she was "convinced" to come for short visits only.

Proposal: "Establish a cheap folk army"

In a heated debate on the state budget, held in the Knesset on April 4, 1950, MK Dr. Moshe Sena (in photography, speaking in plenary in 1959), urged the opposition party to make changes to the budget proposed by Finance Minister Eliezer Kaplan. He argued that economic policy is endangering Israel's existence, with budgets earmarked for immigration being transferred to security. "A popular and cheap army must be established, as Israel's security will come from the strength of its residents and its population, and not another tank or airplane," he concluded.

Photo: Fritz Cohen, GPO