In Memoriam - Paul Feldman

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The Johannesburg Jewish community mourns the passing of Paul Feldman, husband of Isla Feldman who is the Director of the JNF and SA Zionist Federation. Paul Feldman will always be remembered for tremendous service to South African Jewry as well as the State of Israel. Paul was a Machal volunteer and lived a life that truly reflected not only his commitment to community and country but a testament to Jewish history.

Born in Poland to a religious family, and a father who was a communist, Paul at 10 years old was placed in a German slave labour camp.His first brush with tragedy and death was when he was witness to his uncle being shot because he was a Jew.  That had a profound effect on him as a young Jewish boy, and formed the basis for the path he took in his later life.

Paul's childhood was difficult and challenging.  He and his family managed to escape from Poland to Russia, a move that created its own problems as they were sent to Siberia where his father was incarcerated, leaving young Paul to support his 6 brothers and sisters as best he could.  His next confrontation  with death came when he was forced to bury his adored brother in Siberia. 

With the advent of amnesty for many political prisoners, Paul’s father was released and the family went to Germany, but many of them were murdered in Auschwitz.  Unable to stand by quietly and watch this unspeakable horror, Paul joined the Haganah and soon afterwards was united with his family who were on their way to Italy.  From there they went to Palestine but were refused entry by the British and turned back to Cyprus.  Determined to reach the promised land, Paul managed to get himself, his brother and one sister smuggled back into Palestine where they settled on a kibbutz.  At the outbreak of the 1948 War of Independence, Paul joined the army and during those fateful days, was shot 6 times, removing one of the bullets himself.

Paul was always extremely ambitious and when the war ended, he studied by candlelight to become an engineer, which he managed successfully.  Moving to South Africa, he started a business in Meyerton employing 400 people; but returned to Israel, because of his love for the country.  He lived there for a while, during which time he and his wife were divorced.  Once again he came to South Africa where in 1995 he met Isla who was to become his greatest love, and they married in 2000.  In 2002 he had a debilitating stroke; his almost total recovery was described by his doctors as a miracle, proof of the strength of his life-force.   
 
Despite having lived in Israel for many years, Paul eschewed the brusqueness and abrasiveness that characterized Israelis of that generation.  He was a man who loved life and lived it to the full in the best way that he could.  He was respected and admired by all who were privileged to know him. He was a gentle and caring man, a man of integrity and great warmth, but he was also a fighter when needs be, and he personified these characteristics not only in his interactions with everyone but in the manner in which he always conducted himself. 

Paul suffered enormously, much more than one man should have, yet he bore his illnesses with dignity and fortitude,  determined never to give up the fight but to keep on for as long as he could.  He had an insatiable need to grow and learn, and even in the darkest moments he pushed himself to the limit, fighting for his beloved Israel and for justice for the people who the world has so badly and unfairly maligned.

Paul was a special and wonderful husband and father who placed his family above all else in his world.  He was Isla’s confidante, her best friend and her support in both good and tough times; and he loved her and his children unconditionally, determined that they would never want for anything and ensuring their futures and their security.  He never succumbed to despair nor did he ever allow himself to wallow in self-pity or misery.  His strength of character was a defining feature of his personality, and his commitment to those he loved and the causes he held dear were unequalled.

He will never be forgotten – not by his adoring wife Isla, not by his cherished  children Irene, Jeremy, Dani and Michelle, not by his loving nephew and niece Yossi and Nurit.  His memory will live on and he will always be loved.