Aliya success story - the Segals

Gloria and Norman Segal - An Aliyah Success Story
                                                                                    By Fonda Dubb, September 2008

In 1987 - 21 years ago - Norman and Gloria Segal came on Aliyah to settle in Eilat. As early as 1965, Norman wanted to make Aliyah, feeling that his roots were here in Israel because of his family history. His father, David, was born in the Old City of Jerusalem in 1883, and left for S. Africa as a boy of 17 in 1900. His profession was a cabinet maker.  Gloria did not want to leave her parents in S. Africa, who were in poor health, so the Aliyah was postponed. Norman’s profession in S. Africa was a timber merchant and he ventured later into restaurants with his son, Syd. Here in Eilat Norman worked as a time keeper at the Sport Hotel and later as a night auditor at the Red Rock Hotel. Several years later, he worked at a supermarket.

In Johannesburg, at various stages of her life, Gloria worked as a bookkeeper at a bank, at the Totes, and for the Star Newspaper. She also did charity work for King David School and served on many school committees on the P.T.A., both in the Junior High and High Schools.  She also served on the Women’s Zionist League Committee, doing fundraising. Here in Eilat she worked as a cashier and saleslady at the Dan Hotel shops, the Princess Hotel, and other hotels. It’s wonderful to see the many facets and changes in their careers and how well they have both adapted, setting an example for other S. Africans to follow!

Having visited Eilat many times as tourists, they opted to make Aliyah to this spot for health reasons, Eilat having a wonderful dry climate, and also for its atmosphere and the quiet life.

Glenda, their daughter, arrived 5 years later together with her husband and their 2 children.

The Segals have seen Eilat grow from a population of 20,000 in 1987, to 60,000 in 2008.  What do they like about Eilat? It’s a friendly town, and the social and community services are excellent.  They have no regrets and recommend that more  S. Africans come to join them!

If you just ask the first 10 Eilat residents you meet if they know Gloria and Norman Segal at least 2 will say yes!  Since coming to Eilat they have made an enormous amount of friends. Everyone loves them and they love everyone.

Besides making friends, they are the local (unofficial) welcoming committee. They seem to find out who are the new arrivals and welcome them. Any help that new arrivals require, Gloria and Norman, are always there to assist.

On the 3rd of May 2008, they celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary, together with Gloria’s birthday which coincides on the same day.  Seeing them surrounded by their friends and family, and how young and happy they both look – I can only wish them “ad 120”.