Holocaust survivor retells experience on the Altalena
Eirinn Disbrow
Issue date: 3/20/08 Section: News
In honor of Hillel's celebrations for Israel's 60th birthday, Nathan Gutman, grandfather of Jen Gutman '08, spoke in Miller forum last Tues., Mar. 11. The event was sponsored by America's Pro-Israel Lobby and Legacy Heritage Fund and was organized by Jon Falk '10 and Jen Gutman.
Falk and Jen decided to collaborate on the project because of their passion for Israel and their involvement in related projects. Falk helped to coordinate Israel Action Week and Jen has been working on Muhlenberg's Got Talent, two events that recognize the importance of the US/Israel relationship. Ever since Jen's Freshman year, Gutman expressed an interest in spending a day at the College with her. Jen realized that she could make her grandfather's dream come true while simultaneously educating her peers on the birth of Israel. "I thought what better way to celebrate the state of Israel then to hear stories from someone who has not only lived through Israel's birth, but as a 21-year old risked his life to help establish a Jewish state," says Jen. Guests were provided with dinner while Gutman spoke of his experiences serving on the crew of the Altalena.
Gutman informed us that the Altalena was a ship sent to Israel by a right wing political group in the state of Israel called the "Irguns." In June of 1948, during the Arab-Israeli Independence War, the Altalena was provided with military supplies and 930 fighters to aid Israel in their fight to achieve Israeli statehood. Unfortunately, the left wing political group, called the "Hagana", suspected that the right wing was sending the Altalena to try and take over the Israeli government and consequently, they blew up the ship when it was outside of Tel Aviv. Gutman explained that he can be seen at the stern of the burning Altalena in a photograph taken by a Life magazine photographer.
In his speech, Gutman briefly mentioned that he was rescued by American troops from a concentration camp in Austria. He explained that they revived him in an American Field Camp for two weeks and because he was so close to death, he does not remember this experience. "I do not know if I would have made it another hour," Gutman said.
Falk and Jen decided to collaborate on the project because of their passion for Israel and their involvement in related projects. Falk helped to coordinate Israel Action Week and Jen has been working on Muhlenberg's Got Talent, two events that recognize the importance of the US/Israel relationship. Ever since Jen's Freshman year, Gutman expressed an interest in spending a day at the College with her. Jen realized that she could make her grandfather's dream come true while simultaneously educating her peers on the birth of Israel. "I thought what better way to celebrate the state of Israel then to hear stories from someone who has not only lived through Israel's birth, but as a 21-year old risked his life to help establish a Jewish state," says Jen. Guests were provided with dinner while Gutman spoke of his experiences serving on the crew of the Altalena.
Gutman informed us that the Altalena was a ship sent to Israel by a right wing political group in the state of Israel called the "Irguns." In June of 1948, during the Arab-Israeli Independence War, the Altalena was provided with military supplies and 930 fighters to aid Israel in their fight to achieve Israeli statehood. Unfortunately, the left wing political group, called the "Hagana", suspected that the right wing was sending the Altalena to try and take over the Israeli government and consequently, they blew up the ship when it was outside of Tel Aviv. Gutman explained that he can be seen at the stern of the burning Altalena in a photograph taken by a Life magazine photographer.
In his speech, Gutman briefly mentioned that he was rescued by American troops from a concentration camp in Austria. He explained that they revived him in an American Field Camp for two weeks and because he was so close to death, he does not remember this experience. "I do not know if I would have made it another hour," Gutman said.