Eallan Memories

In 1975, Howard, aka Chaim, and I decided to move our family from B’nei Brak to Ra’anana. At that time, Ra’anana was like a little country village. There were no traffic lights, and in fact, there was very little traffic. Our children attended the local schools, and we were fortunate to find people, who welcomed us and became our close friends. As time went on, we were able to welcome the newcomers, and prominent among them, were Esther, ad 120, and Eallan, of blessed memory. Our children and their’s became friends and helped to provide the “cement” that kept us together, even after our later move to Sha’are Tikva.

We were fortunate to be among the first monthly travelers to Hebron, and we were able to benefit over the years from Eallan’s organizational skills. He was intent upon showing us all the wonders of the area; its history and its development. On our last trip, we were able to reconnect with long lost, and later, found, fellow travelers.

The atmosphere on the buses was awesome. There were some quiet conversations, but for the most part, we listened to Eallan explaining where we were geographically, and historically. On our last trip, he spoke at length about the upcoming 300th trip, which unfortunately, did not take place.

Howard and I would like to close this letter by mentioning a number of items that made Eallan unique.
His ingenuity, creativity, modesty and generosity as well as his efforts to preserve the past and enhance the future; his open heart and his dedication to family, community and fellow Jews.
May he be a מליץ יושר for his family and all of Am Yisrael.

Some 63 years ago Eallan, his brothers , my brothers and myself were all Study Group Campers. Sue and I renewed our friendship with Eallan and Esther when we moved to Raanana 33 years ago and shared many holidays, happy times and smachot together.

Eallan had a very inventive mind, always thinking of potential projects. A few that come to mind include joining with other Olim to partner the old established Moriah Shul and this led directly to the 2nd minyan at Moriah and due to enormous demand the eventual building of Shivtei.

He designed charity boxes for all the members, made some 300 monthly coach trips to Hebron each Rosh Chodesh, innovations in the air conditioning business, competitive car servicing, superior ear plug international distribution, arranging group trips away , especially the 13 years when some 120 of us enjoyed Rosh Hashana at the Sharon hotel.

He still had time for a daily check of his garden and making delicious liquors and homemade fruit jams.

Eallan z”l will be sadly missed by family, friends & such a large part of Klal Yisroel
Sue and Harvey Harris

We don’t know may people like Eallan – someone who had such determination, commitment, drive and a desire to do the right thing even again the tide of opinion with a fair mix of ‘akshanut’ on the way!

Eallan always told us he had an interesting life which he said was a blessing; born in Kenya in 1944, educated in England at the only Jewish boarding school Carmel College under the guidance of the famous Kopel Rosen, ending up in London and becoming an accountant; married Esther (a lass from Sunderland) and had 2 daughters, Keren and Sarah – so far so good. Not enough for Eallan – In 1979 the family moved to Israel and settled in Ra’anana and after a short period of time becomes involved in the growing Anglo community which become the hallmark for the city. Fast forward 40 years and we have the Eallan who we knew and loved so well who touched so many lives on his journey thru life which ended too soon on 17 Tamuz at the young(ish) age of 76.

Eallan’s achievements were numerous; some large and some not even noticeable by the general public but very meaningful to those who benefitted from his kindness and acts of Chessed. Be it his financial support of those in need, his dedication to establishing new shuls within the Ra’anana community or his daily attendance of minyanim and his love of learning. His commitment and support of the needy to ensure those without means received a hot meal every day thru Bet Hatavshil will remain his hallmark. Eallan’s dedication to the Hebron community via his near 300 monthly trips bringing with him thousands of people over the 25 years is one of the strongest legacies he leaves behind.

On the business front Eallan was a pioneer; he established a chain of Beit Hamazgan air-conditioning stores throughout Israel when the concept of a franchise was not well known – he also began a business to manufacture unique silicon ear plugs which are used by many thousands throughout the world especially on flights – all proudly made in Israel and exported far and wide from Japan to the USA. His latest business venture called ‘Driver’ was to overhaul the way we service and maintain our cars – always one step ahead with innovative ideas and the desire to go where no-one went before.

We first met Esther and Eallan within 24 hours of arriving in Israel on Aliya over 30 years ago and from that day they became surrogate grandparents to our 3 children. Always there for us in the early years when we needed help and advice in navigating living in Israel especially as olim. In parallel Eallan made sure our children all become Man U supporters (we had no chance with Sunderland!) and over the years their relationship with him grew stronger and deeper. Our daughter as a little girl always knew to visit Eallan’s office on Achuza Street for ice creams irrespective of whom he was meeting with at the time and as with all the kids every week they received their candies when they saw Eallan in shul. A Shabbat didn’t go by where at least one of our children visited the Hirshfeld household. Our boys were kept updated on the Premier League with the football magazines (mainly Man U editions) that Eallan always gave them and the Motzei Shabbat games they watched together over the years were priceless.

A lifetime of memories of someone taken from us before his time – יהי זכרו ברוך

Melanie and Michael Braunold.

Meeting Eallan at Study Groups in my teens, he was someone never forgotten and our friendship, together with Esther resumed when I came to Raanana in 1998. I enjoyed numerous Shabbat lunches with them, accompanied by stimulating conversation and the frequent acerbic comment, tempered by a twinkle in his eye. Lunch always culminated with Esther’s delicious homemade ice-cream and about which Eallan teased me incessantly. Eallan commanded the highest respect for adherence to his principals and his religion, his quiet but deep generosity and so much more. All the fine characteristics summing up the essence of Eallan have been so eloquently expressed above He will never be forgotten.