Lady Madonna

Jan 10, 2019 | Portraits of the Past

On June 10, 1924, twenty-one year old David Horowitz boarded the S.S. Madonna in New York harbor. Destination: Jaffa, Palestine. Horowitz was making his first visit as a young pioneer to the British held territory. He is shown here right of center clutching the railing.

On the morning of July 3rd, 1924, the S.S. Madonna anchored in the windy, turbulent bay of Jaffa. Jaffa had no harbor, so passengers and luggage had to be rowed ashore by local Arabs. The old steamship was launched in January 1905 and sailed the high seas until removed from service in 1934.

Ralph Buntyn is executive vice president and associate editor of United Israel World Union. A historian and researcher, his many articles and essays have appeared in various media outlets.