Original subtitles

Some defects are due to the state of the original document.

Their elimination was not possible during the film restoration.

The lack of image or sound has thus been treated with the means at our disposal.

Restored by the CNC (additional digital restoration Lobster Films).

OUR FUTURE A documentary by E.L. Davidzon

Commentary translated from French by Moritz X

Operators: René Pomerants, Ményé Sound Engineer: Yosef Navon

Song interpreted by Rachel Milstein from the Opéra de Paris

with the children's choir of the People's Union and the Habonim

under the direction of Germain Veil-Rousseau.

This was once a city.

And it is here that those who thought of the people's future

came to learn the history, the culture of this people...

to be a deserving builder of his country.

This was once a building.

What happened to the Moyshélé and the Shloymélé?

The Rokhélé and the Sorélé

saved from the hands of the Hitlerian killers?

This was once an apartment.

They were once men and women,

They were once

old people and kids

And this one was once A Jew from Europe.

Ruins were already full of weeds,

as if they had already forgotten

our millions of martyrs.

But look at it now:

a line amongst the ruins

symbol of the new rebirth of a people.

And there, the symbol of a people's resumption

A place where one goes to study the history

and the culture of his people

to become a free man, and a worthy builder for his country.

Where is the homeland of the Moyshélé Jews,

of the Shloymélé and Sorélé saved from the Hitler assassins?

These cherished Jewish kids

for whom hundreds of thousands of men sacrificed their lives.

Who can take care of feeding these children

who are often the responsibility of poor parents,

also ruined, despoiled, broken victims of the Hitler regime?

Who will teach these children

that they are the children of the immortal Jewish people?

Who will teach them, show them

where the golden chain starts that links them to the other generations?

Who will entrench in their hearts

this burning love of those who perished in horror

their fathers, mothers, grandfathers and grandmothers?

There is a Jewish People's Union in France,

a sister-organisation

to the national Workers' Union in America

JEWISH PEOPLE'S UNION IN FRANCE (FOLKS-FARBAND)

The organisation of the Jewish People's Union

incorporates a big number of circles and sections in Paris

and in all important communities In French cities.

Its activity extends to all areas of Jewish life:

social, legal, medical, cultural:

choirs, libraries, reading rooms, and educational:

kindergarten, summer camps, Yiddish classes.

Young animators of the Jewish People's Union

take care of the children, of their education,

of their nourishment, and their clothing.

They are concerned with the Jewish youth

with their future and their well being;

Thai is the crown of the social worker of lhe People's Union.

In many Paris districts,

the People's Union has created complementary schools

where, several times a week, the kids can come

learn Hebrew, Jewish history,

Jewish literature, and celebrate Jewish holidays.

Kids, you've studied well!

And now, let's sing!

A song, very good!

But you shouldn’t forget that children need to eat

For these orphan kids, whose parents were murdered

in Nazi gas chambers,

The People's Union founded a home

in a castle especially bought for them, close to Paris.

It is them, the members of the committee of the People's Union

who come visit the place.

As early as the first day

the kids are provided with all that is necessary

for them to feel at home.

These are our American brothers and sisters who haven't forgotten

the unfortunate survivors of the Nazi gas chambers.

This is the present that the Zionist Labor Committee

representing the Jewish workers of New York

has sent to the People's Union

as a sharing demonstration with our French brothers in need.

Here come the first nice springs.

As a sign of good health,

the children of the complementary schools of the People's Union

fill the large park.

Because after being hidden and threatened with asphyxiation

they fully appreciate the open air.

Here's a neighbor!

Our great friend, Louis Sigal

the General Secretary of the National Labor League

coming to visit our schools

and children's houses in France.

The children know very well

that Louis Sigal is a great friend,

and they gave him a warm welcome.

It's a great pleasure for our committee

to show our devoted friend Louis Sigal

one of the greatest productions of the People's Union,

the Children's House dedicated to Anna Jarblum.

This house

will be like a second home for each child.

Here, they will benefit from the fresh air

here, they can study,

and live in a warm place.

In this castle, you can find a wonderful library

in order for the kids, the managers and the personnel

to enjoy their free time,

so they can read,

and spend good leisure times.

In the name of the Jewish People's Union in France

I fraternally welcome our guest

our friend Moyshé (Louis) Sigal

on the occasion of his visit

in our Children's House dedicated to Anna Jarblum.

We address our warmest regards

to the National Labor's Union in America.

We would like to give our recognition

to the Labor Jewish Movement in America

for its fraternal help.

Now

I will let our comrade Sigal address you.

Dear friends,

I am happy to find myself in a Children's home

founded by the Jewish People's Union

that holds the name of our comrade Anna Jarblum.

The great tragedy that hit European Judaism

during the Hitler domination

particularly hit the Jewish children,

to our great sorrow.

During my visit to Poland,

and other European countries,

I heard talk of horrible things.

The methods

used by the Nazi assassins

to destroy everything that belonged to the Jewish people,

and primarily the Jewish youth,

to forever stop

national Jewish life.

Unfortunately, on a large scale,

Nazism succeeded.

But, luckily,

not in completely.

This makes us responsible

for the pursuit of Jewish life,

and of the sacred mission to preserve the cultural treasures

that were created by our mothers and fathers, over so many generations.

The Jewish child must represent

the pledge to perpetuate

our Jewish national, cultural and social life.

It is of great importance to you,

that children's houses and educational institutions

be created by the Zionist Labor Movement,

as well as other national forces within the Jewish world,

in order for the Jewish child to gel an education,

in the spirit of creating a link

with all that could make sense of our existence as a people

and with everything related

to the construction of a national Jewish home in the Land of Israel,

as well as with the Organized Jewish Labor as part of out Histadrout (Israeli Central Syndicate)

A warm welcome to you,

militants of our People's Union in France.

I will convey your friendship

to the Zionist Labor Movement in America,

and depict, to your fellows over there, all your essential activities.

I promise our loyal attachment to you,

our solidarity cooperation,

in all areas your initiatives may undertake.

Here is the children's house Anna-Jarblum

Here is the children's house Anna-Jarblum

that takes care of Jewish children in France,

to which are bound the orphan Polish Jewish children:

the rare Jewish children who were saved

and that Polish pogromists wanted to kill.

Here they are surrounded by a warm and homely atmosphere.

They will stay here before going up to the Land of Israel

Where they should find their real home.

Here are kids full of energy.

Our kids from Tunisia, a French colony,

have come from far away,

to spend their holidays in children's houses of the People's Union.

Poverty is the lot of Tunisian ghettos,

and the children who arrive, often sick,

come out fresh and in perfect health.

In a specialized medical service,

we examine these poor children

who, during their young lives,

have already endured grief,

suffering and hunger.

After the doctor's exam,

the kids listen to a story reading:

the one with the little white cow, with no spots.

Today is a very happy day for the kids:

the day of the theater performance.

They have the chance to express their gratitude towards them.

They, themselves, represent their brothers and sisters, tragically murdered.

The leaders of the People's Union

talk to these little children's hearts about themselves,

about what this Jewish people expects of them,

and the biggest joy can be read on their faces.

Mister J Vice-president of the People’s Union

This is a solemn moment:

the famous sculptor Chana Orloff

reveals the frontispiece of the children's house

in memory of our militant Anna Jarblum

who disappeared at the end of the war.

Mr Reuben Grynberg,

vice-president of the Federation of the Jewish Societies in France

holds a short speech.

A day in the fresh air.

Dear young men and young girls,

take what was prepared for you with maternal love.

Eat with pleasure!

Nothing is missing,

not even a place to grab a little drink.

There's nothing to take care of, with such support!

Dance, dear kids! And sing!

You are the future of our nation.

The children need to grow and blossom,

and now: a match of dodgeball.

[Peace and benediction !]

This speaker is talking about agriculture

in front of the kids and the parents present.

Bravo !

Let us not regret anything,

They are cowards

dead in captivity of the soul and the body

Lei them rot in shame and contempt

but a luminous sun,

with its greatest rays of light

will enlighten the strength

and their generation

and this generation will dedicate to the sun,

its body movement and the strength of its arms

stand up, strays, and leave these lost places

Don't raise your voice, Walk in silence,

The sound of your steps, be the only ones to hear them,

Let everyone hear, in his heart, God tell him,

today a new country, you will enter.

A golden book is especially opened:

the book of the Jewish martyr,

so that visitors from all over the world

could express their impressions

during their visit to the children's house.

The children's house dedicated to Anna Jarblum

Aims to fit in

a series of institutions intended for children

who need to know the great outdoors,

enhance their physical condition,

and live a few months in a friendly atmosphere.

Thus, were also created summer camps

in the center of France.

A Kids' summer camp director

Wakes the kids out of their sweet sleep.

Ah, the good old children's dreams!

Where is the world of a bird

that has already been seized by threatening hands?

Waking up wasn't very easy for the kids.

Thankfully, the educators are here,

and they lead well

with a masculine firmness.

For the kids it is precious for them

to be bale to completely wash themselves and with so much pleasure!

A lot of them, don’t even have horn es.

They don'! even have a mother to wash them.

But for them , to grow physically is not the most important

this time must be used

for the kids to learn about Judaïsm.

And especially for them to know the country of their origins

and of their future.

They learned from the educators

who devote their affection and faith

to teach them there is a goal in their lives within the Habonim.

The children know the important mission

that is their life:

the one to build the Jewish country.

Let's visit the little ones, over there.

Ah!

Look at how envious the older kids are

while they're doing their morning exercise in the park!

Today, more than ever,

we have to rem ember

that we need a healthy mind in a healthy body.

Now is the most solemn moment of the day,

the imprint of real sanctity for the kids:

The blue and white flag raising.

The children, all together

with their older comrades from the seminar,

the counselors

surround the flag,

and eagerly await, their hearts racing,

this holy moment.

Not every child can accomplish this holy task.

They have to earn it!

They must be kind,

duteous,

motivated,

polite

and above all study well.

The leader of the camp talks to the kids.

He explains the importance of this ceremony.

And how to earn

the enviable task of the flag raising.

When the ceremony is over,

we go back to everyday games,

we go back to having fun freely.

The Habonim now joins another group.

The oldests of the Habonim,

leave for their internship

to become educators for the kids of the movement.

How beautiful are these discussion sessions

that the interns hold on educational topics?

Oh ! These are real Jewish debates.

This little squirrel is clearly

more passionate about these discussions

than playing with his classmates.

A class on the geography of Israel,

captivates the children

everything shows

how much the children want to know about our homeland.

The children show their teacher

how much they already know

about the Land of Israel.

The youngest learn,

whilst the older ones engage

into an authentic hora!

Faithful to its tradition,

our People's Union

has set up not to let one Jewish holiday pass

without a celebration.

In the kids' little hearts

we make sure to cultivate the love of Shabbat.

We make sure to cultivate the love of Shabbat.

Friday night is always celebrated

around covered and decorated tables.

The camp manager explains to the kids

the role of the Shabbat in the life of the Jewish people.

The plates were cleaned faster.

Thank God, they have a great appetite.

And in honor of Shabbat we have more copious dishes!

Because we also have to eat

for the second soul that comes to us on Shabbat.

The joy of the Shabbat is coming to an end.

The kids are going to bed.

But the counselors don’t go to sleep

They meet up to prepare

the work schedule for the next morning.

But unfortunately, all good things come to an end.

Summer packs up its bags,

and so do the kids, to go back to the city.

But summer camp cannot end

without a ceremony that reunites

everyone who was pan of it.

To keep the spirits up,

a little outdoor-gymnastics.

Soon,

the kids will return to the People's Union's schools,

and their warm and national atmosphere,

exactly like in summer camps.

Have a safe trip kids,

may the teachings of the People's Union's summer camps

stay in your hearts.

Stay proud and dignified Jews.

Be loyal to the Jewish people,

you are its future.