American Contributions to Israeli Independence Depicted in ‘Eyewitness 1948’

Coinciding with Jewish American Heritage Month and Yom Ha’atzmaut (Israeli Independence Day), the Ruderman Family Foundation announced May 8 they are releasing never-before-seen archival footage that shares the stories of the American Jews who helped establish the State of Israel.

Partnering with Toldot Yisrael, they are making the material publicly accessible and user-friendly for the first time.

“Eyewitness 1948: The American Contribution” — a film series produced in partnership with Toldot Yisrael — focuses on the efforts of Americans in the period leading up to the modern State of Israel’s establishment. The film shares insight on World War II veterans who fought in Israel’s war of independence; volunteers who smuggled weapons, machine parts, and uniforms overseas; businessmen who raised funds to help bring Holocaust refugees to British Palestine; and doctors, nurses, journalists, students, and others who were eyewitnesses to Israel’s establishment.

“The individual stories of these American Jews combine to make an unparalleled collective impact,” Jay Ruderman, President of the Ruderman Family Foundation, said in a statement. “The ‘Eyewitness 1948’ film brings to life inspirational stories of solidarity, peoplehood and shared destiny that deserves a broad audience in the American Jewish, Israeli, and other communities.”

The Ruderman Family Foundation — which works to educate Israelis about the American Jewish community and its relationship with Israel — is releasing these films during the annual Jewish American Heritage Month in order to showcase a little-known aspect of 20th century Jewish history that links the U.S. and Israel together.

“We want to convey the message that the State of Israel is a collective enterprise of Jews around the world,” Eric Halivni, Director of Toldot Yisrael, said in a statement. “These short films will help educate Israelis about the unique contribution that American Jews made to Israel’s founding and give American Jews a sense of pride that this is their story, too.”

For more information on “Eyewitness 1948” click here.