Who are the precious people who work behind the scenes to make sure that everything runs smoothly? Day and night, with all their hearts, sometimes under difficult conditions, the staff of Keren Hayesod and the campaigns drive forward a complex system of activities around the globe. In its first years, Keren Hayesod had only 15 employees, who managed an intricate system of emissaries, campaigns, conferences and public relations around the world. Today too, Keren Hayesod is run by a small and dedicated professional staff in the Head Office in Jerusalem and in the worldwide campaigns who are the beating heart of its widespread activities. An outstanding example of the connection between Keren Hayesod and its employees is the story of Dr. Markus Spiegel, one of KH’s first staff members, who was a lawyer and Zionist leader in Krakow, Poland at the beginning of the 20th century. Spiegel was the editor of a local newspaper, but spent most of his time conducting Keren Hayesod activities throughout the region. His work included raising funds from area residents and maintaining close contact between the Keren Hayesod offices in Jerusalem and the Krakow office. In December 1939, a few months after the German invasion of Poland, Dr. Spiegel was arrested together with other senior Keren Hayesod activists, and in 1940 he was sent to Auschwitz. Despite Keren Hayesod efforts to have him released, he was murdered that year. His oldest son, Eleazar, managed to escape from the concentration camp, and immigrated to the Land of Israel. He received an award of honor from Keren Hayesod and a scholarship to study chemistry at the Hebrew University. He changed his name to Eleazar Shafrir. After receiving the title of professor, he founded the Center for the Study of Diabetes at the Hadassah Medical School; his research gained widespread international recognition. The story of Dr. Spiegel is just one example of the special connection between Keren Hayesod and its employees. Staff members continue to be the driving force behind Keren Hayesod’s enormous success worldwide, for which we all owe them our thanks.
Photo: Dr. Marcus Spiegel (1886-1940)