Babette Kaplan came to live in Israel in 1963. She taught English through drama which she had studied in her native South Africa. Later she studied for a doctorate and became an internationally recognized counselor. A protestor and demonstrator for many causes she also found time to volunteer in the local community and with ESRA.

Jewish gangsters were a well known part of the American criminal scene in the first half of the twentieth century. Benny Fein was one of these New York mobsters. The terrible fire in March 1911 in a garment factory that killed over 100 young women caused him to rethink his life style – he became a fighter for better conditions for the workers.

Remembrance of Piers Coleman, a generous provider for items in ESRA’s Second Hand Shop.

Jerry Stevenson recalls his first visit to Arbanel Street to the home of Felix Shulman, the founder and director of the Abu Gosh Music Festival. A doctor and veterinarian surgeon by profession, he also had a very solid musical background. His home was the center for his professional work as well as his musical activities.

A toast to Ruth Reuven on her 100th birthday.

Born in South Africa where she studied medicine specializing in psychiatry, Valerie Velkes went on to become an expert in family therapy. First in South Africa in the 1960’s, and then in Israel, she was a pioneer and teacher in this relatively new branch of therapy.

A loving daughter pays tribute to the memory of her late father, relating anecdotes of his life from his growing up in the East End of London, through the second world war, to his aliyah and active retirement in Raanana.

A loving memory of a dear friend and much missed ESRA volunteer.