‘And on the 2,083,785th day El Al was created,” proclaims an old color ad for the Israeli airline, divine light breaking across the runway as a plane touches down into the Holy Land.
Whether it was a last-minute act of divine creation in 5707 or an act of political expediency in 1948, the “Airline of Israel” celebrated its 60th anniversary last year — and recently, its most devoted fan published his second book on the subject.
“El Al: Israel’s Flying Star” by Marvin G. Goldman, a lawyer, aviation historian and the world’s largest collector of El Al memorabilia, charts in obsessive detail the history of commercial aviation in Israel.
“My main focus in the book is to show how the birth and development of the airline actually parallel the birth and development of the State of Israel,” Goldman told The Shmooze in a phone interview from his home on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, where he keeps his 10,000-piece El Al collection. (His wife has just about confined the collection to one room.)
“I like the association and involvement of the airline with the State of Israel. It gives me a feeling of attachment to [the country]. It wouldn’t be the same if I was collecting Finnair or Lufthansa,” said Goldman, who has flown on El Al more than 100 times since 1978.
“Israel’s Flying Star,” which was eight months in the making and several years in the planning, is illustrated with images of hundreds of items from Goldman’s collection, covering everything from music to military action. The book features the score to the exuberant song “To Fly El Al,” written in 1981 by Naomi Shemer and played over the loudspeaker on every incoming El Al flight for several years (the tune was recently rerecorded by El Al staff and posted on YouTube). It also includes information on Operation Solomon, the 1991 evacuation of some 14,000 Ethiopians, about half of whom were transported to Israel on El Al airlifts. During the rescue, the airline received special dispensation from the Israeli Rabbinate in order to fly on the Sabbath.
Goldman’s hope is that a civil aviation museum will be established in Israel and that his collection, an integral part of the country’s history, will find a new home. “There are certain aspects I would miss,” he admitted while discussing the possibility of giving away his memorabilia. “I have to tell you secretly on the side — my favorite items I try to collect in duplicates, so I can still enjoy.”
The Forward welcomes reader comments in order to promote thoughtful discussion on issues of importance to the Jewish community. In the interest of maintaining a civil forum, the Forward requires that all commenters be appropriately respectful toward our writers, other commenters and the subjects of the articles. Vigorous debate and reasoned critique are welcome; name-calling and personal invective are not. While we generally do not seek to edit or actively moderate comments, the Forward reserves the right to remove comments for any reason.
Copyright © 2013, Forward Association, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
As First Maharats Graduate, Orthodox Women Leap Forward
Why a Rabbi Should Not Marry Outside the Faith
Why I Only Date Jewish Guys
Taking Aim at Corporate Jewish Burial Business
Barbra Streisand Visits Western Wall After Landing in Israel With Puppy
You've successfully signed up!
I,m trying to reach mr marvin g goldman the El Al historian. I have some piece that he would be interested in. Would you pleas send me his home address ("on the upper west side" of nyc) so that i could get it to him. Thanx ( I am a long time subscriber to the Forward)
I would like to reach Mr. Gordon -or ask him to contact me. I was a 25 year employee of EL AL and have some things he might want to add to his collection. Glad to donate them to such a good collector.
My sister-and-law found an El Al kosher guide at an estate sale and I'd like to give it to Mr. Goldman. It's in mint condition and I don't want anything for it. Please ask Mr. Goldman to contact me.
Dear Dr. Seidenberg,
Sorry, I can't help with locating Marvin Goldman, but I would like to talk to you regarding New Utrecht High School. My Mother graduated in 1939 and would like to know if there are other "Alta cockers" around, from her class.
If you would send me information concerning a reunion, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks so much for anything you might know.
Best, Richelle Lieberman
Dear Dr. Seidenberg,
Sorry, I can't help with locating Marvin Goldman, but I would like to talk to you regarding New Utrecht High School. My Mother graduated in 1939 and would like to know if there are other "Alta cockers" around, from her class.
If you would send me information concerning a reunion, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks so much for anything you might know.
Best, Richelle Lieberman
To Don Marshall :
Hi,
If you haven't been able to locate Marvin Goldman (not Gordon) I can help you doing so.... I am friend of him and just visited him last week. I have myself a GREAT interest for El Al and especially for the airline's former corporate identity..... I must be the most crazy admirer in the world of the previous turquoise/navy blue livery. I even found out and met the designer who created this color scheme, Dan Reisinger, and we became friends..... And this month I will be travelling to Amsterdam to meet with the son of the late graphic designer who had created El Al's famous square logo in 1962....and with another well known Dutch graphic designer who had collaborated on the development of this logo.
So, if you - or any other El Al employee/former employee - ever read this message....please send me an e-mail!
Thanks and best regards,
David Weil, Geneva
To Don Marshall :
Hi,
If you haven't been able to locate Marvin Goldman (not Gordon) I can help you doing so.... I am friend of him and just visited him last week. I have myself a GREAT interest for El Al and especially for the airline's former corporate identity..... I must be the most crazy admirer in the world of the previous turquoise/navy blue livery. I even found out and met the designer who created this color scheme, Dan Reisinger, and we became friends..... And this month I will be travelling to Amsterdam to meet with the son of the late graphic designer who had created El Al's famous square logo in 1962....and with another well known Dutch graphic designer who had collaborated on the development of this logo.
So, if you - or any other El Al employee/former employee - ever read this message....please send me an e-mail!
Thanks and best regards,
David Weil, Geneva
Hello,
I am also looking for Marvin Goldman's address ive been searching for it for a long time as I thought I was the only EL-AL enthusiast in Europe and most probably the world until my dad had given me his book and ive been looking for him ever since. I am currently holding the UK's buggest EL-AL collection and I regulary get things from Tel Aviv and the EL-AL Office in London Euston. I am currently working a part time job at the EL-AL check in desk at Luton and Heathrow at 13 years of age.
I am Hoping for your reply
Hope to speak to you soon
Jonathan Sivarajah, London
the biggest collection in the UK? Wow, seems impressive! You can e-mail me: d.weil@yahoo.com
david
Has anyone an idea how I might contact Mr Don Marshall ? Could FORWARD send him an e-mail with a link to this page for instance.....?
Advanced thanks for any help.....
the biggest collection in the UK? Wow, seems impressive! You can e-mail me: d.weil@yahoo.com
david
Has anyone an idea how I might contact Mr Don Marshall ? Could FORWARD send him an e-mail with a link to this page for instance.....?
Advanced thanks for any help.....