Autograph Letter Signed by David Ben-Gurion – Tel Aviv, 1963 – "I am particularly interested in writing about the ...

Autograph Letter Signed by David Ben-Gurion – Tel Aviv, 1963 – "I am particularly interested in writing about the contribution of Sephardi and Yemenite [Jews] to the resurrection project"

Letter handwritten and personally signed by David Ben-Gurion; addressed to the Tel Avivian public figure Moshe Chelouche. Tel Aviv, September 8, 1963.

This letter was sent not long after David Ben-Gurion's second – and rather abrupt – exit from the prime minister's office (June 16, 1963), and shortly after his departure from Tel Aviv: "As I leave Tel Aviv today on my way to settling in Sde Boker, I feel the need to express to you my feelings of admiration and friendship."
In his letter, Ben-Gurion relates to an article he published in the government's annual review for Hebrew year 5723 (1962-63) titled "Rishonim" ("Pioneers"), and tells Chelouche of his intention to expand on the subject, and devote an entire book to "the last eighty-five years, from the founding of Petah Tikvah in 1878 till this year's Independence Day." He further adds that "I am particularly interested in writing about the contribution of Sephardi and Yemenite [Jews] to the resurrection project, and I would be most grateful if you could enlighten me with [regard to] additional sources." In addition, Ben-Gurion expresses an interest in learning more about the biography of Chelouche's grandfather, the Zionist activist Avraham Moyal. He concludes with the following: "I plan to dedicate every Friday to hosting guests at my place, and I would be very, very pleased if you would do me the favor of paying me a visit."

Moshe "Musa" Chelouche (1892-1968), public figure, member of the Tel Aviv City Council, chairman of the world leadership of the Maccabi organization. Served as Honorary Consul of Bulgaria in Palestine. Son of Avraham Moyal, one of the founders of the city of Tel Aviv. With the passing of Tel Aviv Mayor Meir Dizengoff in September 1936, Chelouche was chosen by the political parties representing Tel Aviv's labor organizations to serve as mayor. This appointment was fiercely opposed by the right-wing candidate Israel Rokach and his followers, who launched a smear campaign against Chelouche. Concurrently, Rokach applied pressure on the British Mandatory authorities to appoint him mayor instead of Chelouche. Thus, Chelouche served as Tel Aviv's third mayor, but his term lasted only ten days.

[1] f. (thin notebook page), 21.5 cm. Good condition. Minor creases. Minor ink smears in two spots, resulting from dampness (causing minor damage to text). Right edge of page cut unevenly.