During a wave of terror attacks in Israel in the fall of 2000, David Matlow was among just 14 Torontonians who went on a United Jewish Appeal mission. He wanted to support stores on Ben Yehuda Street in Jerusalem, where tourist traffic had fallen silent. And that’s when he spent $5 on this significant figurine. Srulik was created by Kariel Gardosh (known by his pen name Dosh) in 1951 as a cartoon representative of the country. The pioneering sabra sported a kova tembel (pioneer’s hat) along with khaki shorts and sandals. Israel’s youthful answer to America’s aging Uncle Sam captured a plucky optimism. “It was a reminder that the difficult period would pass,” says Matlow of this addition to his personal museum of Zionist memorabilia. “Srulik serves the same role for me in 2023. We need to be optimistic and believe in a better future. And, like him, we need to roll up our sleeves to make that so.” When Dosh created Srulik, boys named ‘Yisrael’ often had that as a nickname. The character ultimately appeared on stamps honouring Israel’s 50th birthday. The cartoonist was still actively drawing when he died at age 79, in early 2000. Months later, Srulik took his place in Matlow’s collection, which now numbers over 6,000 items and counting—as featured in the Treasure Trove at The Canadian Jewish News. Am Yisrael Chai! SRULIK THE YOUNG SABRA
Download a free copy of David Matlow’s ebook 75 Treasures at herzlcollection.com
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