Weitz, Joseph

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WEITZ, JOSEPH

WEITZ, JOSEPH (1890–1972), Hebrew author and a director of the *Jewish National Fund (jnf). Born in Burmel, Volhynia, Weitz went to Ereẓ Israel in 1908. He worked as an agricultural laborer and watchman and in 1911 was one of the founders of the Union of Agricultural Laborers in Ereẓ Israel (Histadrut ha-Po'alim ha-Ḥakla'im be-Ereẓ Yisrael). In 1915 he was appointed manager of the *Sejera farm, and between 1919 and 1932 he was inspector of plant and afforestation in the jnf settlements. From 1932 Weitz was director of the jnf's Land Development Division and, from 1950, a member of its board of directors. In these capacities he played an important role in the acquisition and development of land for the jnf and in the planning of agricultural settlement.

Weitz's literary work is varied and encompasses both Israeli agriculture and children's stories. He is outstanding in his descriptions of the landscape of Israel, which are noteworthy for their lyricism as well as their profound knowledge of the country. He wrote books and pamphlets of belles lettres and on various agricultural and land settlement themes. His principal work is Yomani ve-Iggerot la-Banim ("My Diary and My Letters to My Sons," 5 vols., 1965). Bi-Netiv ha-Hagshamah, a collection of essays published in 1950 in honor of his 60^th birthday, included a biography, a bibliography, and an appraisal of his work. Adam im Aẓmo ("Man by Himself") appeared in 1966 in honor of his 75^th birthday and includes a bibliography of his writings.

His son ra'anan (1913–1998), who was born in Reḥovot, held the posts of the head of the Land Settlement Department of the *Jewish Agency, chairman of the National and University Institute of Agriculture, and head of the Settlement Study Center. Among his works are Derakheinu ba-Ḥakla'ut u-va-Hityashevut (1958), Agriculture and Rural Development in Israel: Projection and Planning (1963), Ideology and Farming – Characteristic Variables in the Moshavim (with D. Solomanica and U. Shaked, 1975), and The Southern Project, A Proposal for the Development of a Rural Region in the South of Israel (1975), and numerous publications on agriculture and rural development. In 1973 Weitz was appointed a member of the Council for Higher Education, as well as professor of regional development theory in the School of Social Work, Haifa University, relinquishing the position in 1978 when he was appointed to a similar position at Bar-Ilan University. He lectured on the subject at many international conferences held in Germany, Italy, Brazil, Costa Rica, Venezuela, Mexico, and South Africa. Upon his 70^th birthday, friends presented him with the book Ḥaverim Mesiḥim im Ra'anan (1983). In 1990 he was awarded the Israel Prize for exemplary lifelong service to society and the State.

Another son, yeḤiam (1918–1946), who was born at Yavne'el, was killed during the struggle against the British regime while dynamiting the bridge at Achzib in Western Galilee. A book of his letters appeared in 1948 and in 1966, and kibbutz Yeḥi'am in Western Galilee is named for him.