RUTHFULLY YOURS

Dear Friends,

It is with a very heavy heart that I deliver the sad news of the passing of the Mayor of Ariel, Ron Nachman. Ron was a dear friend of AFSI’s and our beloved Chairman, Herbert Zweibon, z”l.

He was a featured speaker at an early AFSI Conference in New York, when Ariel was a nascent community in the Shomron, just beginning to grow. Ron always appreciated the fact that AFSI encouraged and applauded his efforts in pushing forward with every initiative to expand the community into a city, and to introduce the College of Judea and Samaria in Ariel, which has now been awarded University status.

On our most recent Chizuk (strength) mission to Israel in Nov. 2012, we visited Ariel, as we always try to do, and Avi Zimmerman arranged for the group to attend a beautiful concert at the Ariel Performing Arts Center where we met with Mayor Nachman.

At the time he looked vigorous and healthy, and we were so pleased to see him looking so well, knowing that he had been fighting his battle with cancer for many years. Below is a picture I took with him at the time.

My heart breaks with the knowledge that he is no longer with us. We pray that Ariel will have a new champion who will persevere, as Ron did, in dedicating himself to the growth of this beautiful city. It has welcomed Russian immigrants, the refugees from the former Gush Katif communities, and students from throughout the country, Arabs and Jews alike.

Ron succeeded in making Ariel a true symbol of a beautiful Israel. May it continue to thrive and be a credit to his memory.

We offer sincere condolences to the entire Nachman family, and to the Ariel family, as well as all who loved and admired Mayor Ron Nachman. May the family know no more sorrows, and may they be comforted among the mourners of Zion.

Helen Freedman,

on behalf of AFSI