Israeli Community Action

Paula Kabalo is Director of the Ben-Gurion Research Institute for the Study of Israel and Zionism at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. She is author of Shurat Hamitnadvim: The Story of a Civic Association (in Hebrew).

"Documents the emergence of citizens' and communal 'home front' organizations during Israel's War of Independence, and the first year of existence of the state, looking at areas of housing needs, commercial and merchants' rights, and relief and support for veterans and soldiers' families after demobilization."—Russell Stone, author of Social Change in Israel: Attitudes and Events, 1967-1979"Paula Kabalo's book presents the 1948 war from an entirely new perspective—through the trials and tribulations of ordinary Israelis. She also presents in detail the components that contribute to social resilience in the face of disaster, and although Israel has changed in many ways, this work is unfortunately still relevant today."—Orit Rozin, author of A Home for All Jews: Citizenship, Rights, and National Identity in the New Israeli State

• Acknowledgments Introduction: Association, Efficacy, CapabilitiesI. Civic Association and Self-Help in a Voluntary Community, November 1947–May 14, 19481. Multiple Paths to Community Resilience—Displacement as an Impetus to Association 2. Economic War and War Economy—The Challenge to Business and Commercial Life3. "Literally Abandoned to Starvation"—The Bureaucratization of Relief and the Question of Responsibility for Soldiers FamiliesII. Association and Self-Help in a Sovereign Society—May 14, 1948–1949 4. The Displaced Communities Regroup5. Emergency Economy amid Emergency Normalcy —the Quest for Regularization, Improvement, and Influence6. Soldiers' Wives and a 'Non-Governmental Government Committee for Inductees' Families'—the Question of Responsibility 7. The War Veterans' Civilian Struggle—Discharged Soldiers and Disabled Veterans Confront the Elected EchelonConclusionBibliographyList of Archives'Index