Israel
A true servant of the Jewish people
Hardly a rung below in fame from the prime ministers of Israel he served, Yehuda Avner, described by his son-in-law David Sable as “a true servant of the Jewish people”, died in his Jerusalem home on Tuesday at the age of 86.
OWN CORRESPONDENT
Author of the best-selling book, The Prime Ministers, with his second book, The Ambassador, due for publication shortly, Avner was born in Manchester, England in 1928 and made aliyah in 1947.
He was an adviser to prime ministers Menachem Begin and Yitzhak Rabin and was a speechwriter for Golda Meir and Levi Eshkol. He worked closely with many of the top politicians in Israel. Avner also served on the editorial board of the Times of Israel.
Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein paid tribute to Avner, who spoke at the rabbi’s Sinai Indaba two years ago:
“Yehuda Avner was a great Jewish leader of our times. He was one of the most eloquent and articulate writers and speakers to harness the English language in the cause of the State of Israel at the most crucial and historic moments of her existence. But perhaps his most eloquent and powerful statement of all was the way he lived his life.
“He was the perfect gentleman and his qualities of derech eretz, respect and sensitivity permeated his every interaction with the people around him, infusing the rough world of politics with dignity and morality.
He exemplified the greatest Jewish values of courage and vision; he loved “Am Yisrael”, and was deeply rooted in the world vision of the Torah given at Sinai, and was inspired with its compelling relevance to the most complex and pressing Jewish issues, bringing to his work the energy and inspiration of our sacred values. His passing is a sad loss for us all.”
Avner’ son-in-law, Sable, paid tribute to him. He wrote: “It is with deep sadness that I share with you the passing of Ambassador Yehuda Avner, Begin’s Shakespeare… an articulate champion of the Jewish people and the State, who took his last breath, at home, in his beloved Jerusalem.
“There is so much to say and so much to share and such a rich life to celebrate. Suffice it for now that he always saw himself as a Yerushalmi – a person of Jerusalem…
“He was a true servant of the Jewish people, in his role as adviser to the generation of legendary leaders of Israel. He was never political, never took personal gain, never shied from conflict… with his bag always packed… he went, listened, advised and wrote, giving voice to the prime ministers he served and voice to our cause and our people.”
As ambassador, Avner represented Israel during tumultuous times and was respected by friend and foe alike. He was passionate about art, music, literature and theatre.
Says his son-in-law: “His legacy is Medinat Yisrael, the State of Israel, to which he dedicated his life to building. His gift to us… his words… which will live on and continue to inspire future generations around the world.”