Haapalah / Aliyah Bet

Sidney Yellin spent his childhood in Baltimore orphanages and foster homes, or hopping trains with hobos.

During World War II, Sidney Yellin rose to the rank of Captain, piloting freighters in convoys vulnerable to attack.

Frank Scanlon was hired to captain Tradewinds haTikvah from Miami to Europe.
Murray S. Greenfield cites: "The captain, a non-Jew hired to take the Tradewinds to Europe, was also in for a surprise: Hed had expected a fully professional crew, not the motley group awaiting him in Miami."

'Manny' Weinstein was sent to Miami to join the crew of Tradewinds haTikvah התקווה, on which he served through her entire Aliyah Bet career.

Sidney Yellin served as Captain aboard Tradewinds haTikvah התקווה.

Murray S. Greenfield, a Merchant Marine veteran, served as Second Officer and fulfilled a number of shipboard duties including cooking, in a crew of 20 Jews and two Gentiles, aboard aboard Tradewinds haTikvah התקווה.

August 'Duke' Labeczewski, a Polish Catholic with nine years of shipboard experience, fulfilled a variety of duties aboard Tradewinds התקווה haTikvah.
"Duke was a merchant marine cook during World War II. Short guy. He learned to cook in a Jewish bakery in Philadelphia. He knew all the Yiddish songs and Jewish holidays, and he knew all about Pessah. He was wonderful."
Efrem Sigel cites: "Duke, a non-Jew, was a close friend of Mike Pearlstein's; they'd lived in the same Philadelphia neighborhood. When Pearlstein
decided to volunteer for Aliya Bet, he invited Duke to join him. Soon the two of them were on the SS Tradewinds, bound for Europe and then for Israel."

Bernard Lerner served as Second Mate aboard Tradewinds haTikvah התקווה.

Hugh McDonald served as Crew aboard Tradewinds haTikvah התקווה.

Saul Yellin served aboard Tradewinds התקווה haTikvah.
Saul Yellin described it as the most meaningful experience of his life, because, he cites: he "will never forget the thrill when one Jew was able to reach out to help another Jew as they boarded our ship... they kissed our hands and said that we were sent by the Messiah."