Leib Frank Z'L

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It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Leib Frank at the age of 91. Leib served for many years (1962-1979)  as the Director of the South African Zionist Federation ( now known as TelFed). Born in Bloemfontein and raised in Johannesburg he became a dedicated Zionist in his teens. He was among the founding members of the Hashomer Hadati (the forerunner of Bnei Akiva) in South Africa. The funeral will take place at the Kfar Shmaryahu Cemetery on Sunday 10th January at 15.00. Shiva will be held at Beth Protea today, Sunday and Monday. Tuesday and thereafter at Gillam's house at 42/9 Hermon St. Mivaserret Tzion - Keinan Family. See selection of photos below

 In 1940 he volunteered for the South African army, together with many other Jewish youth, "in order to go and fight the Nazis", as he put it. Leib  fought with the 1st. Rand Light Infantry regiment in North Africa. He was severely wounded in action and consequently lost his right leg. He never complained about his disability and it certainly didn't affect his future dreams.
Indeed only his closest family was aware of it. He walked with his prosthesis –his artificial leg undetected by most. On his return to Johannesburg he met Rachel (Luffy) Josephson. They married and had four children. In 1949 Leib was appointed Director of the Rhodesian Zionist Federation. In 1961 he realized his boyhood dream and made Aliyah. In 1962 he replaced Sam Levin as Director of TelFed in Tel-Aviv. After his retirement he continued to serve the South African community in Israel sitting on numerous boards. Thousands of South Africans who made Aliyah in the 1960's and 70's benefitted from his professionalism and caring manner.  May his memory be blessed.
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Eulogy by Leib's son Gillam
Leib Frank
צדיק כתמר יפרח כארז בלבנון ישגה.

Dear Dad,
It is with a heavy heart that we now say goodbye to you. You leave behind you a great and wonderful legacy. More than anything you were a loving and caring father as you were a husband to Mom.
We enjoyed a wonderful childhood. First in Rhodesia and after making Aliyah here in Israel. I personally have terrific memories of my early childhood in Rhodesia. Particularly the trips you would take us on to Johannesburg, to the Cape, to Durban and around Rhodesia. As we drove along you taught us songs of your period like "Yes we have no Bananas", " Two lovely Black Eyes" and many more.

As the saying goes: "Two Jews, Three opinions". And yes we Jews have many differing opinions. Like Marek Edelstein who passed away in Warsaw just recently, one of the commanders of the Warsaw Ghetto uprising. He was a confirmed Bundist all his life right up till his death. This despite the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 and our many achievements since then. The Bund organization opposed Zionism and claimed that developing a strong Jewish culture in their home countries was the right path to follow. My father, Leib Frank, on the other hand was a Zionist from a very early age. As my father he obviously had a great influence on me. So much so that for me being Jewish and being a Zionist was one and the same. The Zionist movement in Southern Africa was particularly strong so that only added to this viewpoint.
Dad had a tough childhood and he wanted to make sure we didn't suffer the hardships he had to endure. One story I never forgot was not being able to afford a blazer which was a requisite for those good enough to play Rugby for
Jeppe High School in Johannesburg.

Dad was always a proud and active Jew. He became a Zionist in his early teens.
He was among the founders of the "Shomer Ha-dati" – the forerunner of the Bnei Akiva religious youth movement. With the outbreak of the Second World War he was among the many Jewish youth who signed up to fight the Nazis. Not an obvious thing as South Africa was the one Commonwealth country where there was no compulsory service. Dad served in North Africa, in the Western Desert. In 1942 he was severely wounded near Bardia in western Libya. As a result of his injuries he was amputated and lost his right leg. From then on he wore a prosthesis - an artificial leg. He never complained. No one but the family and close friends knew as he managed to walk extremely well with it. He met our mother Luffy  זיכרונה לברכהon his return to Jo'burg. They fell in love, married and had 4 children.

About the time I was born in 1949, Dad was offered the job of Secretary General of the Rhodesian Zionist Federation. I have many wonderful memories of our time in Rhodesia. They include hosting such people as Moshe Dayan, Moshe Sharett, Avraham Yoffie to mention but 3. Another vivid memory I have of my Dad was when Michael M'wema a young African student returned from a study course in Israel and addressed the Jewish community about his experiences in Israel. It was customary for one of the leaders of the community to host the guest speaker to  dinner. All were reluctant to do so. Dad didn't hesitate for a second. Mr. M'wema was invited to our house for dinner and there we kids experienced what was for us the surreal situation of a black man eating at the same table with us! Needless to say despite the realities of Southern Africa, Dad gave us a liberal and pluralistic education.

We spent 12 wonderful years in Bulawayo before he finally realized his life long dream to make Aliyah. As you all know he served for almost 20 years as the
Director of the South African Zionist Federation in Israel – from 1962 -1979. He worked hard and arduously to promote the idea of Aliyah amongst South African Jews and once here helped them with a strong sense of commitment and dedication.

Dad you have much to be proud of. Your family was naturally your major achievement. However as I said in my opening remarks -צדיק כתמר יפרח
Dad truly was upright like the palm. Honest and a man of utmost integrity. Not for nothing did many in South Africa entrust him with managing their funds in Israel.  His word was his bond and his service on behalf of South African Jewry was exemplary. I am very proud of him.
The late Simie Weinstein who served as a Jewish chaplain in the Second World War, also here at the Fed as well in later years – and who incidentally married my parents – once said to me at an event my parents hosted at their house: "You know your father and I and others like us are all part of the Jewish Civil Service". Very true.

In 1979 you retired. Life should have treated you gently. At first it did but then after 10 tranquil years you were put to the test like Job. Only two of your children stand before you today at your graveside – Lironne and I. Sadly David and Ardon are not here. Lotan too, your grandchild was taken from us. But your other 8 grandchildren should be of great comfort to you. They all love you very much and they will continue the family legacy.

Let it also not be forgotten that as 80 year old grandparents, you and Mom raised two wonderful grandchildren due to the circumstances. Not easy at all.

Barbara your Daughter-in-law in the United States, Mavis my wife and Ofer Lironne's husband are all very appreciative for all you have done for them, how kind and generous you always were. These are not empty words.
We all know, what stands behind them.

Dad there is much more to recount about you and your deeds. But I will now take leave of you. Thank you for being a wonderful Dad. You will always remain in my heart, in our hearts.
שלום אבא , תנוח על משכבך , יהי זכרך מברוך עד מאד.

Date: 10.01.10
 

Leib Frank Bulawayo 1967, photographer Leo Silver

Leib with Ben Gurion in Ben Gurion's library

 
Leib with his granddaughter Ariella 1994
 

Family in Kfar Shmariyahu 1963.  Left to right: Leib with Lironne on his lap, David, Gillam, Ardon, Luffy
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[Source : Haaretz ]
Leib Frank, leader of S. African Jewish community, dies at 91
By Cnaan Liphshiz
 

South African Israelis last week paid their final respects to a notable community leader, Leib Frank, who passed away last Friday at the age of 91.

Frank, who was born in Bloemfontein and raised in Johannesburg, had served as director of the South African Zionist Federation Telfed from 1962 - a year after he immigrated to Israel. He remained in office until 1979.
   
"Leib was a good Zionist who fought like a tiger for the rights of [immigrants]," said Telfed Director Sidney Shapiro. "Leib was very influential in my life because he's the person who hired me into Telfed 40 years ago, while I was still in ulpan," Shapiro added.

Frank's son, Gillam Keinan from Mevasseret Zion, said his father never went to study Hebrew at an enrichment course.

"He started working the day he came here," he said.

Near the time of his retirement, Leib Frank and his wife, Rachel ("Luffy") Frank, lost two of their four children - Ardon and David Frank. The couple also had a daughter, Liron Bar-Sadeh, a diplomat currently serving in Italy. Rachel Frank died in 1998. Her husband was buried alongside her in Kfar Shmaryahu.

After the deaths of his sons, "Leib devoted his life to his grandchildren," according to Shapiro.

"He was a man who had high expectations," Shapiro recalled. "He was such a devoted Zionist that he may have been partially disappointed with certain aspects of modern Israel, and turned inwards."