Azaria Alon by Arie Gal

It’s been a year since we moved South, and people call it Zionistic. The real Zionists here

are the people who founded the kibbutzim and the moshavim here many years ago.

However, recently on visiting events in Raanana and in Herzliya, one of ESRA and one of Herzliya municipality, I had an "epiphany” - a manifestation of what Zionism, the term so bandied about, is today - not post, but real.

In Raanana at the ESRA Magazine Literary Award Event “My Israel” I realized that Zionists are those who come of their own free will and find their place here.

The other event was the annual presentation of the Herzl Prize, now in its eighth year, to worthy individuals - not necessarily local residents - by the Herzliya Municipality.

Azaria Alon, aged 92, received the prize for his contribution to preservation and education with regard to nature and the country. His name was also mentioned when the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel was awarded the Israel Prize. It was founded by Azaria and co-founder Amotz Zahavi in 1951 and he has been associated with the Society ever since. For over 60 years, and long before it became fashionable, he has devoted himself to keeping Israel green. He and his wife Ruth are members of Kibbutz Beth Hashita. He helped establish the National Parks Authority and more than twenty field schools all over the country. He has published over 35 books and was chief editor of the Hai and Tzomeach Encyclopedia (12 volumes) and since 1959 has had a weekly program "Nof Artzenu" on Kol Israel.

At the ceremony the Mayor of Herzliya,Yael German, and the Minister of Education, Gideon Saar, spoke eloquently about the prizewinner’s achievements but it was Azaria’s acceptance speech that was the highlight – relevant, full of wit and wisdom ending with a donation from his prize money to an Ethiopian student from Herzliya (he had asked the municipality to suggest someone from the Ethiopian community because he felt they were discriminated against). No wonder that after his speech and an appearance by Hava Alberstein the audience rose to their feet and spontaneously broke into Hatikvah.

I was there with a friend who had recommended Azaria for the award. I had met Azaria and his wife when he volunteered to guide us on some wonderful outings in the country.

So it’s the newcomers and the oldtimers who perpetuate the Zionist idea and ideals.