Remembering Berl Katznelson
Im Tirtzu 12.08.2021
On this day in 1944, Berl Katznelson, one of the most influential leaders of the Zionist labor movement and an instrumental figure in the establishment of the State of Israel, passed away.
Berl was born in Belarus in 1887 to a family very active in Hovevei Zion, one of the first Zionist movements. At the age of 22, he moved to the Land of Israel and made history.
Katznelson was one of the founders of the Worker's Union (Histadrut) and of all the organizations that came as a result: Clalit Health Service (one of the biggest health care providers in Israel), Hamashbir Litzarchan (a country-wide retail store), and Bank Hapoalim.
“'Berl would like you to stop by' was like a command that no one disobeyed. Not that he held court or ever gave orders, but nothing was done, no decision of any importance to the Labour movement in particular or the yishuv in general, was taken without Berl's opinion being sought first."
--Golda Meir
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