Rosie Ben Yaakov Passes Away: Haifa Teacher with a Legacy of Education and International Bridges

(haipo) – Teacher Rosie Ben Yaakov, a role model in the world of Haifa education, passed away this week at the age of 74. For decades, Rosie was an integral part of the education system of the Leo Buck School, where she taught, educated, initiated and led groundbreaking educational projects, especially in the field of international relations between students in Israel and Germany. Students, colleagues and administrators say goodbye to her with pain, and speak of a rare personality who acted out of mission, dedication and a deep sense of educational responsibility.

Years of educational work at Leo Buck

Rosie Ben Yaakov began her career as a teacher at the Technical School in SMT, but she dedicated most of her career to the Leo Buck School. She began teaching there in the early 80s, and until her retirement about seven years ago, she was a central figure in the school's teaching team. She taught English, educated generations of students, and led many educational initiatives, some of them on an international scale.

Ideological and professional educational figure

Leo Buck CEO, Rabbi Ofek Meir, paid tribute to Rosie and emphasized her significant contribution to the institution: "Rosie was an educator in the full sense of the word. For decades, she devoted her heart, soul, and unique abilities to Leo Buck – an institution that was her ideological and professional home. She not only worked there – she lived the place, its spirit, its values, and its vision." Rosie not only taught classes – she created, built, and nurtured an entire system of educational values ​​surrounding the ties between Israel and Germany.

An educational project with an international mission

One of Rosie's key contributions was the initiative to connect schools in Israel and Germany. The project, which began as a personal vision, grew into a real educational enterprise: student exchanges, teacher missions to teach in Germany, and mutual visits between students and teachers from both sides. Rosie was the bridge between cultures, leading the meetings out of a belief in the power of education to heal historical wounds.

A deep vision for intergenerational dialogue

Vera Lachmanovich, a teacher who accompanied Rosie for years, said that the project was a real life's work: "There aren't many teachers who started a project from scratch like she did. She saw it as a mission, to bridge the gaps between Israel and Germany." The meetings included not only students but also teachers, who learned to get to know each other's culture in depth. German teachers came to Leo Buck and taught, and the experience was meaningful for both parties. Lachmanovich also describes how Rosie ensured that even students from disadvantaged backgrounds could participate in the delegations, while raising funds and fighting for equal opportunities.

Relationships that have lasted decades

Lachmanovich noted that some alumni remained in touch with their German hosts 20 years after the expedition. The connections were real and deep, testifying to Rosie's success in creating human connections with long-term meaning. "Rosie's worldview was to do something real, something that would last," she says.

Her educational and personal contribution

Alongside her international activities, Rosie was an excellent English teacher, dedicated and professional. She knew how to approach students, how to encourage and how to strengthen those who needed support. She also participated in Holocaust Remembrance Day events and told the story of her family, out of a sense of mission to remember and remind. Her colleagues describe her as a broad-minded woman, who loved literature and music, who was gentle but also determined and dedicated.

A teacher who was also a conversationalist and friend

Limor Ganot, another teacher who taught alongside Rosie for 20 years, describes the deep personal connection between them: "Rosie was a true friend. She always shared her life experience, and never let me feel younger or less experienced than her." Ganot talks about Rosie's love of culture, the special relationship she had with her husband Gabi, who passed away unexpectedly, and her coping after his death, while continuing to work and do things despite the pain. "When you talk about gentleness of soul, you're talking about Rosie," adds Ganot. "On the one hand, she was so uplifting and yet still modest with European manners. Always surrounded by very good friends and without a doubt a Leo Buck, from the generation of the Nephilim of old. Her work ethic was in her DNA."

Irreplaceable dedication

Rosie was known for her work ethic and sense of responsibility. "She always did everything to the end," says Lakhmanovich. Even after retirement, when she needed help, she did so modestly and in a way that did not want to disturb others. Her conduct was characterized by European politeness, extraordinary modesty, and genuine human concern.

A teacher who never gave up on a single student

Avinoam Hartal, a student Rosie taught English to, recalls: "She always knew how to create a pleasant atmosphere in the classroom. She never gave up on anyone, even when there were students who thought they wouldn't succeed and had no chance." He tells how she encouraged him to stay on the 5-unit English track despite the difficulties, and shared with the students the personal experiences of her family as Holocaust survivors. "She was a lovely person, a very special woman," he concludes.

Her memory will be kept in the hearts of the many she touched.

Rosie Ben-Yaakov left behind not only three children and grandchildren, but also many hundreds of students, teachers, administrators, and educational partners who were influenced by her work. Her image will continue to resonate in the halls of Leo Buck and throughout the educational community, as a symbol of educational commitment, intercultural understanding, and the ability to make a profound and meaningful difference in the world.

Tnzbah