Windows Winter 2006 - Jerusalem Foundation

In Memoriam: Honoring Friends of Jerusalem
Henny Gestetner
Lord Victor Mishcon
Memoriam
In
Henny Gestetner, nee Lang, was the
embodiment of a true friend and active
supporter of Israel and Jerusalem.
Born in Switzerland in 1908, she
moved to England in 1933 upon her
marriage to Sigmund Gestetner, who
was running the family-owned copying
business. Mrs. Gestetner and her
husband were very active in the Zionist
Movement and were prominent in the
Haim Weizmann network in England. Because of her husband’s
role as President of the Jewish National Fund and later as
Treasurer of the JPA (now the United Jewish Israel Appeal),
they made many trips to Palestine, where they met Teddy Kollek
for the first time in 1938. After the Second World War, the
couple turned their farm in Sussex into a kibbutz to help train
future immigrants to Palestine. Following Mr. Gestetner’s death
in 1956, Mrs. Gestetner not only continued his tradition of
Zionist activity, but started to support an ever wider range of
causes in Israel and Jerusalem. She donated to the creation of
the Kfar Aviezer Settlement in the Ella Valley in memory of
her husband; the Hebrew University; the Rubin Academy of
Music; the Israel Cancer Appeal; the Weizmann Institute; and
more. One of the Jerusalem Foundation’s veteran donors, Mrs.
Gestetner was particularly involved with the founding and
financing for many years of the Khan Theatre. Jerusalem is
truly richer for her contribution and dedication.
A pillar of the Anglo-Jewish community
and of civic life, Lord Mishcon left
a significant mark on Jerusalem, giving
generously to a kindergarten in Kiryat
Hayoval, the Bnei Avraham youth
center in Ein Kerem and a sport area
at the Liberty Bell Garden via the
Jerusalem Foundation. Lord Mishcon
rose from modest beginnings as the
son of a rabbi to become a leading
lawyer and a member of Labour’s front bench in the Lords. In
1992 he became the first practising solicitor to be appointed an
honorary Queen’s Counsel. A man of great, yet humble, influence,
he was awarded the Star of Jordan by King Hussein in 1995 for
his role in the peace agreement with Israel. He was also committed
to social causes and served on many committees and boards,
including the London County Council’s education committees
and the Inner London Education Authority and the boards of the
National Theatre, South Bank Theatre and the London Orchestra.
He was also deeply committed to Jewish causes, serving as
president of the Association of Jewish Youth, vice-president of
the Board of Deputies of British Jews, chairman of the Institute
of Jewish Studies at the University College of London, a member
of the Council of Christians and Jews and president of the British
council of Jerusalem's Shaare Zedek hospital, among others. A
true friend, Lord Mischon’s untiring commitment to Israel and
the Jewish people will be treasured always.
Hermine Angelus
Hermine Angelus passed away at the age of 96 in her North
West London Jewish old age home. She helped fund an ambulance
for the Magen David Adom and a kitchen for the Association
of Jewish Refugees in London. She will be remembered fondly
for her substantial contributions towards the welfare of the poor
and underprivileged in Jerusalem, including a new kitchen for
residents at the Akim hostel for children with special needs and
support for Tkumat Arieh summer camps.
and studied at the prestigious Bezalel art school in Jerusalem.
She had an illustrious career as a painter, with her works garnering
international acclaim, and also illustrated a number of books
and was honored with the prestigious Herman Struck Prize.
Passal and her husband bought a beautiful house in Jerusalem’s
picturesque Ein Kerem neighborhood and turned it into a center
for the arts called Eldan House. Here, Passal held unique festivals
which combined painting, poetry and dance, all with the underlying
themes of tolerance and understanding. She left Eldan House
to the Jerusalem Foundation in her will along with an endowment
so that it can continue to be a creative force in Jerusalem.
Daniela Passal Geschman
Acclaimed Artist Daniela Passal left a rich artistic legacy in
Jerusalem. Born in Poland, Passal made aliyah at a young age
Ruth Goldmuntz
Ruth Goldmuntz followed her father’s commitment to Zionism
and worked tirelessly for the State of Israel, with special
30 Windows on Jerusalem Winter 2006