Shai Ben Eliahu, one of the founding fathers of the Arava, passed away this month.
Shai was bitten by the "settlement bug" as a very young man, and at the age of just 24, together with his friend Chagy Porat z"l, began searching for a suitable spot to establish a new settlement in the Negev. Their search finally led them to the Ministry of Agriculture's outpost at Ein Yahav in the Arava: at 130 km from both Beersheva and Eilat, they had found the most remote place in the land of Israel. Situated near the Jordanian border, which was regularly infiltrated by both smugglers and terrorists, the outpost served as a temporary home for about a dozen people, a few chickens and a goat.
But it was love at first sight for Shai and Chagy, and they began applying to government agencies and the Army. When the experts said that it would be impossible to settle in such a harsh region, Shai turned to Ben-Gurion himself, finally catching him as he left a meeting on a Friday afternoon.
Ben-Gurion wrote a letter to the Jewish Agency and the IDF on the spot, and from that moment the process which would lead to the Arava's seven flourishing settlements began.
Over the years Shai served Moshav Ein Yahav, the region and the State in many capacities, always focusing upon the development and population of the Arava region, and from 1992 - 2001 he held the office of Head of the Regional Council.
During the beginning of his term as Council Head the Jewish Agency initiated the Partnership 2000 project which partnered peripheral areas of Israel with Jewish communities in the Diaspora, and Shai was approached by Max Shnider from Keren Hayesod Australia. Max chose the Arava as the most suitable partner for Australia because he felt that the region embodied the spirit of pioneering in Israel, and that the similarities between the two communities would give rise to a successful Partnership; this was indeed proven true, and a close and warm friendship sprang up between the two community leaders.
During more than fifteen years of partnership between the Arava and Australia, many additional ties and friendships have been formed. The Australian community has been and continues to be actively involved in the development of numerous projects and initiatives in the region, and many warm personal connections have been made: our Australian partners have contributed much to the fulfillment of Shai's vision for the region.
Shai was laid to rest on Ein Yahav on June 7th - may he rest in peace.
Passing of Shai Ben Eliyahu
by Ron Finkel, Arava-Australia Partnership 2000 Co-Chair
Dear Friends,
It is with deep sadness that I advise you of the passing of Shai Ben Eliyahu, one of the founders of settlement in the Arava over 50 years ago, the long-term head of the Central Arava Regional Council and the first Co-Chair (with Max Shnider) of the Arava- Australia Partnership. His contribution to the Arava, to Israel and to the ongoing deep and long lasting relationship between our two communities is widely recognized and deeply appreciated. His passing, after a long illness, will keenly felt by all his close family and friends.
In 1958, Shai Ben Eliyahu and Hagai Porat decided that they wanted to found a community at Ein Yahav in the Central Arava.
The various government agencies refused to support them, demanding a letter of intent from someone official. So they went straight to Ben Gurion, who turned red with anger when he heard how they had been refused. He wrote them the letter and in 1959, ten families arrived at Ein Yahav. "KKL-JNF prepared the land and they tried growing tomatoes.
In 1962, KKL-JNF prepared another 250 acres for agriculture. The really big breakthrough came a few years later, when Simha Blatt, the "Herzl" of water research in Israel, invented drip irrigation, and harvest yields increased dramatically. Today, over 6,000 people (residents and workers) live in the Arava and supply 60% of Israel's fresh vegetables and more for export.
Shai will be laid to rest today, Tuesday 08 June 2010.
The Partnership will be represented at the funeral by Peter Rabin (Co-Chair) and Orit Elkayam-Cohen (Director).
Ron Finkel
Co-Chair
UIA/Keren Hayesod
Arava Australia Partnership
Letter from Regional Council Head Ezra Ravins on the passing of Shai Ben Eliahu
Dear Residents,
Shai Ben Eliahu, one of the pioneers of settlement in the Central Arava region, who served as Regional Council Head from 1992 to 2001, passed away this morning at the age of 75 after a long struggle with illness.
His establishment of Moshav Ein Yahav 51 years ago marked the beginning of the Central Arava, and he will be remembered as a true visionary who lived to see his dream fulfilled. Together with his friend Chagy Porat z"l, who shared his vision, Shai led an enthusiastic handful of young people, who were full of passion and energy, in the establishment of a settlement in a region that was considered not fit for human habitation.
As one of the founding fathers of the region, Shai was admired as a role model by all who crossed his path. Despite the harsh conditions and doubtful attitude of government agencies, he never despaired, and with great faith, determination and backbreaking work, he brought the region to where it is today.
Shai was a man of vision who held many senior positions in Israel and abroad, and in 1992 he was elected Head of the Central Arava Regional Council, serving two terms, until 2001. During his first term in office he was a partner in the formulation of the Peace Accords achieved with Jordan in 1994. With wisdom and courage, Shai Ben Eliahu, together with Yitzhak Rabin, brought about a peaceful settlement which did not harm the residents of the region.
In 2006 in evening was held to honor Shai's lifework, during which he was presented with an award for lifetime achievement from the region. The evening was attended by Supreme Court Justice Elyakim Rubenstein, former Minister of Agriculture Arik Nehamkin, and KKL's former Director of Land Development Gidon Vitkin.
In an interview for Israel's southern radio channel yesterday I was asked by whom I had been most influenced in my life. My unhesitating answer was Shai Ben Eliahu.
Shai was laid to rest on Monday, June 7, 2010 on Moshav Ein Yahav.
We honor his memory.
Remembering Shai
by Eve Ozer, former Arava-Australia Partnership 2000 Reciprocal Relations Coordinator
Sometimes you just get lucky. Working for the Jewish Agency's Partnership 2000 program not only gave me the opportunity to get to know the wonderful Australian Jewish community, it also brought me into closer contact with Shai Ben Eliahu.
Shai and I were slightly acquainted before I began working for JAFI, and I remember the first time that I came to a meeting at the Council. The conference table looked as big as a landing strip for light planes, and as I didn't know most of the people sitting around it, I felt very uncomfortable and out of place. Shai walked into the room, looked around and took in the situation in a glance, and announced "I'm going to sit next to Eve".
As I got to know him better I realized that this was completely typical of a man who never sat at the head of the table and who accorded the same dignity and respect to people coming to talk to him about debts they owed to the Council as he did to the many heads of state whom he met over the years. Shai could begin a sentence with "Ben-Gurion once told me…" in the most natural and unpretentious way possible, just as easily as he could join the Council secretaries for a cup of coffee in the morning, wearing the jeans shorts and sandals that were his everyday uniform.
We honor Shai for his pioneering, and because we know that without him, none of us would be here today. And we also remember him for his innumerable quiet acts of kindness and consideration of others.
Yihiyeh zichro baruch - may his memory be a blessing.