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b'A special place in Jewish history is reserved for the Machal fighters of 1948. These were primarily World War II veterans, who volunteered to fight for Israel during its War of Independence, and their participation served a key role in Israel\\u2019s victory. Comprised mostly of Jews, but included non-Jews as well, they formed the nucleus of Israel\\u2019s nascent air force, navy, and filled many specialized roles in the army.\\nOne of the most important members of this volunteer corps was Al Schwimmer, an American Jewish veteran who organized a group of pilots and experienced aviation personnel on Israel\\u2019s behalf. He also organized the purchase of planes for Israel\\u2019s Air Force, transported the planes to Czechoslovakia, and then used the planes to bring badly needed weapons and ammunition to fight for Israel\\u2019s survival.\\xa0\\n\\xa0\\nCross River, a leading financial institution committed to supporting its communities, is proud to sponsor Jewish History Soundbites. As a trusted partner for individuals and businesses, Cross River understands the importance of preserving and celebrating our heritage. By sponsoring this podcast, they demonstrate their unwavering dedication to enriching the lives of the communities in which they serve. Visit Cross River at\\xa0https://www.crossriver.com/\\n\\xa0\\nSubscribe to Jewish History Soundbites Podcast on: PodBean: https://jsoundbites.podbean.com/ or your favorite podcast platform\\nFollow us on LinkedIn, Twitter or Instagram at @Jsoundbites\\nFor sponsorship opportunities about your favorite topics of Jewish history or feedback contact Yehuda at:\\xa0 yehuda@yehudageberer.com'