Glasgow Maccabi Association
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Participation in the Nakba
In 1949 the chairman of the Glasgow branch, Harry Shapiro stated: “it was a source of great jubilation amongst the ranks of Maccabi at the establishment of the State of Israel. Maccabi throughout the world had played its part in reinforcing the ranks of the Haganah during its time of need and Glasgow Maccabi feel proud that out of their ranks, eight men and two women are now proudly bearing the insignia of the Haganah. It was essential that Jewish youth who are contemplating emigrating to Israel should go out there no only equipped spiritually, but physically also. That is why it is so essential to have a strong and virile Maccabi branch in Glasgow.”[1]
Connections to the Cousinhood of Scottish Zionism
The Sellyn family and Maccabi
- Several family members were active in Glasgow Maccabi, the Zionist sporting body. Jonathan Sellyn won “Man of the Match” in the British victory at the 1976 European Maccabi Nations Cup, while a young Georgina Sellyn won both silver and gold medals in tennis at the 2007 Maccabiah Games in Rome. Lawrence and Felicia Sellyn officiated at Glasgow Maccabi’s 2015 prizegiving ceremony.[2]
The Sragowitz/Sragow/Strang family connections
- In 1937 Israel Sragowitz, son of Morris Sragowitz (b. 1890) and Jenny Sragowitz (nee Backon), won two tennis matches at the Maccabi inter-city games in Glasgow against Newcastle. As it happens Morris was also a half brother of Max, to whom we come next.
- In 1938 Max Sragowitz was Treasurer of the Langside Synagogue (a Zionist Shul), a nine minute walk from his home in Queen Mary Avenue.
- In 1939 Sargent T. Strang was part of a team that won the “sack race”! in the Glasgow Jewish Lads’ Brigade - a Zionist radicalisation venture. This is Teddy Sragowitz, an early adopter of the name Strang, and the son of Alexandern Sragowitz and grandson of Samuel Sragowitz.
- In 1948 Joseph Strang (born 1911 as Judah Sragowitz, grandson of Samuel), was Hon. Treasurer of the Glasgow Maccabi Association until well into the 1950s, according to the Zionist Year Book and other sources.
- At the 1950 Glasgow Maccabi AGM, Joseph Strang (formerly Sragowitz) was appointed Delegate to the Hebrew Board of Education, and Delegate to the Glasgow Jewish Representative Council.[3]
Timeline
- 1989 - Maccabi Youth Centre Chairman E. Simpson, Hon Sec. Mrs D. Minster, Tel 041 638 7655.[4]
- 1986 - Maccabi Youth Centre Chairman A. Kay, Hon Sec. Mrs S. Simpson, Tel 041 638 7655.[5]
- 1983 - Maccabi Youth Centre Chairman A. Fasin, Hon Sec. Mrs S. Simpson, Tel 041 638 7655.[6]
- 1964/5 - Glasgow Maccabi Association - The Tudor, Fenwick Road, Giffnock, Glasgow.[7]
- 1961/2 - Glasgow Maccabi Association, 16 Turriff Street, Glasgow C5. Hon. Secretary Miss B. Black, 212 Langside Rd, Glasgow S2.[8]
- 1952/3 - Chairman H. Shapiro, Vice-Chairman M. Egelnick, Hon. Treasurer J. Strang, Hon. Secretary Miss B. Edelman, 32 Ballater Street, Glasgow C5.[9]
- 1951/2 - Glasgow Maccabi Association, 16 Turriff Street, Glasgow C5. Secretary Miss B. Edelman, 32 Ballater Street, Glasgow C5.[10] At the time also located at the same address was the Glasgow Jewish Representative Council.
- 1950 - The Glasgow Maccabi Association elected the following at its annual meeting recently: Messrs J. Woolfson Hon-President : L. G. Diamond, B. Green, S. Lipsey, and B. Schotz Hon. Vice-Presidents: the Rev, I. K. Cosgrove, Hon. Chaplain; Messrs. H Shapiro, Chairman: L. Haniford Vice-Chairman : J. Strang, Treasurer; Miss B. Edelman, Secretary : Miss Z. Baron, Publicity Director: Messrs N Berman, Sports Director:' M. Newman, Cultural Director; H Dykes, Hon. Solicitor: and B. D. Cowen, Hon. Trustee.[11]
- 1949 - GLASGOW MACCABI ASSOCIATION - ENCOURAGING REPORT AT ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING The Annual General Meeting of the Glasgow Maccabi Association was held in the club premises, 16 Turriff Street, on Sunday, 20th February, 1949. A minute's silence was observed in memory of the late Lord Melchett, former President of World Maccabi Union, Michael Black, former President of Glasgow Maccabi, and Mrs Pearl Merrens, former Vice President of Glasgow Maccabi. Mr J. Strang, Honorary Treasurer, reported that during the year ending 31st December, 1948, there was a turnover of £1,340 in the club's finances. After keen discussion the balance sheet was adopted. Mr L. Hanniford, Sports Director, gave a comprehensive report on the sports sections, and said the most satisfactory feature of the past year was the large increase in active membership of the various sections. Mr Hanniford paid tribute to the following conveners: Mr L. Sher, Gyms ; Mr S. Caplan, Football; Miss S. Mendelsohn, Tennis; and Miss Y. Shaw, Table Tennis, for their enthusiasm and time put into their respective sections.
- The Chairman reported that Cultural Activities made rapid strides during the past year. tions being Dramatic, Literary, and a mixed Choir. Mr A. Toshner is to be congratulated on the excellent manner in which he re-organised the Dramatic Section. Thanks were due to all members who had helped to collect £300 for Magen David Adom. This was one of the best efforts by a provincial Maccabi branch. In accordance with declared policy by Maccabi Union, efforts were being made to make every Maccabi member throughout the country a Shekel holder. 75 per cent of Glasgow Maccabi were already holders of the Shekel. Great stress was put on the importance of the club's contributions to the Blue and White Bazaar, and the Maccabi had set themselves a target of 300 trees, and urged all members to come forward and help to reach this target and, if possible, exceed it.
- Mr M. Egelnick, Social Organiser, submitted the Social Reports, and stressed the need of enlarging his committee in order to run functions for raising money for club funds. He thanked Miss A. Bolson and Mr A. Toshner for the splendid way in which the canteen was run during the past year. Mr N. Berman, Publicity Director, in his report stated that his department of the club was very necessary in onder to keep the community niformed of the work of Maccabi. The Monthly Newsletter is now firmly established, and will continue lta play a leading part in publicising all Maccabi activities. Mr Berman also expressed his thanks to Mr Golombok for the help he has given him in publicising Maccabi through the medium of "The Jewish Echo."
- Further reports were given by Mr L Punst, Registrar, and Mr N. Berman, Housewarden. Mr J. Strang reported as delegate to the Hebrew Boand of Education, and said they were very grateful to the Board for their help and sympathy in acquiring the use of two large classrooms in the Talmud Torah.
- In the Chairman's address Mr H. Shapiro said it was a source of great jubilation amongst the ranks of Maccabi at the establishment of the State of Israel. Maccabi throughout the world had played its part in reinforcing the ranks of the Haganah during its time of need and Glasgow Maccabi feel proud that out of their ranks, eight men and two women are now proudly bearing the insignia of the Haganah. It was essential that Jewish youth who are contemplating emigrating to Israel should go out there no only equipped spiritually, but physically also. That is why it is so essential to have a strong and virile Maccabi branch in Glasgow.” He urged all members to specialise, and train harder in their respective activities. News had just been received that the next World Maccabi Games would be held in the autumn of 1950. There would be a large entry from the United Kingdom, and every Maccabi member, it fit, and good enough, will have an equal chance to represent Maccabi, Great Britain. Mr Shapiro concluded by thanking the retiring members of the Executive Committee for their help and assistance during the past year.
- Election of Office Bearers resulted as follows:- Joint Honorary Presidents, Messrs Joseph Sachs, J.P. and J. Wolfson, Honorary Vice-Presidents, Messrs S. Lipsey, N. L. Gerber, B. Green and B. Schotz. Honorary Chaplain, Rev Dr I. K. Cosgrove. Honorary Solicitor, Mr H Dykes. Honorary Trustee, Mr B. D Cowan, Chairman, Mr H. Shapiro, Vice-Chairman, Mr L. Furst. Honorary Treasurer, Mr J. Strang. Honorary Secretary, Miss B. Edelman, Recording Secretary, Miss M. Brown, Cultural Director, Mr L. Furst. Publicity Director, Mr N. Berman. Sports Director, Mr L Hanniford. Social Organiser, Mr M Egelnick Registrar, Miss S. Freeman. Housewarden, Mr G. Nawratsky. Canteen, Miss A. Bolson and L. Marcuson.[12]
- 1948 - J. Strang treasurer.
- 1947 - Bar Kochba (Glasgow) 16 Turriff Street, Glasgow C.5 Miss S. Goldberg.[13]
- 1939 - J. Strang - Coach.[14]
See also
Notes
- ↑ Jewish Echo 25 February 1949.
- ↑ https://www.mintpressnews.com/cousinhood-zionism-scotland/290025/
- ↑ https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2025/07/19/751459/neighors-inside-tight-knit-caledonian-cousinhood-scottish-zionism
- ↑ Jewish Year Book, 1989, p. 137.
- ↑ Jewish Year Book, 1986, p. 132.
- ↑ Jewish Year Book, 1983, p. 125.
- ↑ Zionist Year book, 196-1965, p. 202.
- ↑ Zionist Year book, 1961-1962, p. 195.
- ↑ Zionist Year book, 1952-1953, p. 95.
- ↑ Zionist Year book, 1951-1952, p. 95.
- ↑ Jewish Chronicle 10 March 1950, p. 17.
- ↑ Jewish Echo 25 February 1949.
- ↑ The Jewish Year book, 1947, p.95.
- ↑ JE, 10 February 1939.