IN MEMORIUM

PROFESSOR HAIM AHARONI

1927Ñ -   2006

 

Haim Aharoni, who passed away on July 7, 2006, in Haifa, after an open – heart surgery, was an eminent Professor of Chemical Engineering at the Technion: The Israel Institute of Technology.

He was born in Cairo, and was the Head of the Hashomer Hatzair in Egypt, and was one of the leaders who helped to organize the emigration of the Jews from Egypt. His was known and revered in Egypt as: Toto Aharon. He studied at the Cairo University, and completed his PH.D.Chemistry studies at the London University, with flying merit. He was married to Prof. Ada Aharoni, for 55 harmonious and creative years, and they have two children: Dr. Ariel Aharoni -Gynecologist, and Tali Winkler, Head of "Dorot College." 

At the recent World Congress of the Jews from Egypt, he functioned as the General Adviser for the Congress, and unfortunately passed away, just one day after the end of congress.  He was a wonderful, wise and noble man and a true lover of peace, he is deeply and sorrowfully missed by all. May he rest in peace.

“ Zichrono Le Bracha “

 

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IN MEMORIUM

TO HAIM – TO LIFE

 

By Ada Aharoni

 

Since you passed away, beloved Haim,

My wonderful husband and companion

For three quarters of my life

Your absence is at my side

Like a once flowing river of kisses

That has lost its luster and hugs

Lost its gushing silvery ripples

 

I deeply miss you, my wise “Richelieu”

With your loving combination of

Gentleness, intelligence and firmness,

Your smile will not enter my room anymore

But it is still in my heart and flowing

In my veins like a full river

Of loving ripe words clinging to my cells

 

You whispered on your deathbed:

Now you will have to work doubly

On promoting the culture of peace

As I will not be here to help you…

But you are here and helping me, my best friend

I still hear your warm advice about everything -

You are still so much with me my Haim – my Life.

 

 

NB.  My dear late husband Haim passed away

on July 6, 2006.  Haim in Hebrew means “Life”.

 

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OUR BEAUTIFUL NEW HOME
By Ada Aharoni
 
               I was a pale
               ivory tower, surrounded
               by white marble slabs
               until you came
               into my house and it became our home
               
               You deftly climbed my hidden stairs
               gently pushed open my secret windows,
               alighting upon vaulted mosaic
               my curves smoothly responded to
               your precise angles
               
               I offered you my heart as fireplace
               my hands as gloves
               to keep you warm,
               my ears as vessels
               for your words
               
               Laying the lozenges of your life
               on my hearth
               you lit my fireplace
               filled me with warmth,
               lonely tower became cozy new home
               
               I am glad you came to inhabit me
               before our summer was spent,
               before we both tumbled down
               in the mighty tornado
               of the infinite unknown
 
               Though you have passed away my love
               You still inhabit me
               In our beautiful new home
               On the top of the world
               With the moon and the stars
                And the dazzling flying comets.  
 
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WE ALL LEARNED FROM YOU

By Ada Aharoni

 

Haim my cherished love,

during all your fruitful existence

we all learned from you,

from your love, your strength, and determination

to serve humanity, science, and peace,

we enjoyed your lucidity

your maverick brightness, your infinite modesty.

 

You lived in full harmony with yourself

and with all who surrounded you,

you knew you were loved and admired

and you loved us all in return

with buckets of calm and golden sunbeams

in your eager, bright eyes

full of twinkling stars of knowledge.

 

Hundreds of loving friends

came to pay their condolences and they too

said how much they learned from you

each one in his own way, admired you.

And I expected every moment for the door to open

and for you to come in to welcome all your friends -

but you did not come.

 

My heart is so sorrowful and half empty,

However you magically fill the hollow part

every day and every night

with a magic pump of  Shalom - Salaam

full of all our common dreams

full of all the wonderful treasures

I learned from you.

                     ***********

 

WHAT IS HAPPINESS?

By Ada Aharoni

 

When you were alive dear Haim,

One bright golden day I asked you

“What Is Happiness”?

You promptly responded

With a bright twinkle in your eye

“Happiness is being married to your best friend”

I laughed and hugged you my best friend.

 

Now that you have passed away my love

And we will not talk and laugh together anymore

I miss your kisses and warm hugs

I miss your caressing, gentle calm

with which you appeased all storms,

I admire your spirit that fights my sorrow

that sings “Be Happy” in spite of all –

for this is my legacy.

 

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