Holocaust survivor retells experience on the Altalena

In honor of Hillel's celebrations for Israel's 60th birthday, Nathan Gutman, grandfather of Jen Gutman '08, spoke in Miller forum last Tues., Mar. 11. The event was sponsored by America's Pro-Israel Lobby and Legacy Heritage Fund and was organized by Jon Falk '10 and Jen Gutman. Falk and Jen decided to collaborate on the project because of their passion for Israel and their involvement in related projects. Falk helped to coordinate Israel Action Week and Jen has been working on Muhlenberg's Got Talent, two events that recognize the importance of the US/Israel relationship. Ever since Jen's Freshman year, Gutman expressed an interest in spending a day at the College with her. Jen realized that she could make her grandfather's dream come true while simultaneously educating her peers on the birth of Israel. "I thought what better way to celebrate the state of Israel then to hear stories from someone who has not only lived through Israel's birth, but as a 21-year old risked his life to help establish a Jewish state," says Jen. Guests were provided with dinner while Gutman spoke of his experiences serving on the crew of the Altalena.

Gutman informed us that the Altalena was a ship sent to Israel by a right wing political group in the state of Israel called the "Irguns." In June of 1948, during the Arab-Israeli Independence War, the Altalena was provided with military supplies and 930 fighters to aid Israel in their fight to achieve Israeli statehood. Unfortunately, the left wing political group, called the "Hagana", suspected that the right wing was sending the Altalena to try and take over the Israeli government and consequently, they blew up the ship when it was outside of Tel Aviv. Gutman explained that he can be seen at the stern of the burning Altalena in a photograph taken by a Life magazine photographer.

In his speech, Gutman briefly mentioned that he was rescued by American troops from a concentration camp in Austria. He explained that they revived him in an American Field Camp for two weeks and because he was so close to death, he does not remember this experience. "I do not know if I would have made it another hour," Gutman said.

Gutman focused, however, much more on his experience on the Altalena. He explained that the ship was purchased by "The Three Star Line," which was basically a cover for "The American League for a Free Palestine." It was intended to bring Jewish survivors of the Holocaust to Palestine.

"Life on the ship was no picnic. It was hard work," explained Gutman. He clarified that as part of the crew he had to spend four hours on watch. For half of that time he was on the bridge watching the gyrocompass to make sure the ship was on course and for the other two hours he was watching through binoculars up on the mast. During his eight hours off he had to work on the ship, painting and chipping away at the rust.

Gutman vividly described his experience during the shooting of Altalena. He said, "the first time that I realized something was wrong is when I heard shots fired. I did not understand what was happening but the bullets were for sure real because we already had two dead and several wounded." He explained that the Captain hoisted a white flag, but the shooting did not stop. A shell then fell into the cargo, exploded, and caught fire. The crew tried to extinguish the flames but it intensified.

The Captain then ordered to abandon ship and so Gutman obeyed and swam six hours until darkness fell and he landed on a beach in Tel Aviv. "I was picked up by two Civil Guard members who reunited me with the rest of the crew. Sixteen people lost their lives in that affair and scores were wounded," Gutman explains.

Gutman concluded his speech by mentioning that he received an official discharge certificate from Altalena about a month later. He then volunteered for the Israeli Navy and joined a Naval Command unit.

After Gutman's speech guests were allowed to ask any questions that they might have. One guest asked how the crew and passengers were able to sustain one another during their six month experience on Altalena. Gutman replied, "people just wanted to get to Israel.

We were one big cohesive group that wanted and needed to repay Jerusalem. We wanted to fight for Jerusalem." Other questions included: the number of women on the ship, if Gutman was able to get in contact with his family after he was released from the concentration camp, and how he eventually ended up coming to the United States.

Gutman ended the lecture by encouraging the audience to draw their own conclusions about what his story means. "You heard the story. You draw the conclusion. What does it mean to you," he said.

Jen has drawn her own meaning from her grandfather's story. She says, "Listening to my grandfather speak, I could not be more proud to be his granddaughter. His defiance and will to survive surpassed all odds and has taught me never to stray from my heart's desire.