Ilana Lili Rivkin passed away at the age of 97 – the legendary kindergarten teacher of the Remez neighborhood in Haifa

(Haipo) – The passing of Ilana Lili Rivkin at the age of 97 leaves a deep void among generations of children, parents and educators in the Remez neighborhood and throughout Haifa. Rivkin was much more than a kindergarten teacher for many: she was a formative educational figure, a source of inspiration, a woman of spirit and a woman full of joy of life who left a deep mark on everyone who met her. The shiva, held at the family home, became an emotional gathering of those who were once children in the compulsory kindergarten she ran, and who now came to pay their last respects to the one who raised them with love and extraordinary devotion.
Her funeral took place on Wednesday, October 28, 2026.

A life journey that began in Poland and continued in Haifa

Ilana Rivkin was born in Poland and immigrated to Israel in 1948, at a time when the young country was in the midst of a process of building and organizing itself. Immediately upon her arrival, she joined the teachers' seminary, out of a sense of mission and a deep desire to integrate into the developing education system. After completing her studies, she began managing a kindergarten in Hadar, an area that was a bustling urban center in those years. Her work there marked the beginning of her long educational journey, which made her one of the figures most identified with kindergartens in Haifa.

Beyond the hint and becoming a central figure in the community

In 1953, Ilana moved to manage the kindergarten in the Remez neighborhood on Borochov Street, a position that made her a central figure in the local community. She later managed the compulsory kindergarten at the Habonim School, where the children continued to first grade in the same complex. Rivkin was not just a kindergarten director; she was an educational figure who influenced the lives of hundreds of children over decades. Many of them say that even after they finished kindergarten, Ilana continued to follow them, take an interest in their successes, and maintain a warm relationship with them. The fact that children returned to visit her even in adulthood testifies to the depth of the bond that was formed between her and the generations who grew up under her care.

Tu B'Shvat as a multi-year educational project

One of the unique customs that Ilana led was planting trees every year on Tu B'Shvat. She would go out with the kindergarten children to Borochov Street and Netiv Hala, where they would plant trees in the gardens of the children's homes. This custom became a symbol of the kindergarten and the neighborhood, and today, decades later, children who grew up in the kindergarten say that they still see the trees at the entrance to their parents' homes and are reminded of the beautiful years of their childhood. These trees became a living symbol of the connection between Ilana and the community, tangible evidence of the educational and emotional impact she left.

The love of photography and capturing garden moments

Ilana loved to take pictures, and she would document every significant moment in the kindergarten. The family home has an entire room dedicated to photos from the kindergarten, the activities, and the educational events she led. These photos tell the story of her professional life, and show the deep connection that was formed between her and the children. Even many years after she retired, Ilana continued to keep the photos and proudly display them to everyone who visited her home. For many, these photos are a living memory of a time when education was personal, close, and full of love.

Family, community and the glue that binds

Ilana married and her husband was a driver at Agad. Together they started a family with a son and a daughter, and later had grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In her last years, Ilana was the glue that connected all the family members, and was a source of warmth, love and optimism. She was widowed several years ago, but continued to be a central figure in the lives of her children and grandchildren. Her daughter, Dorit, says that every time she walked with her mother on the street, people would recognize her immediately, even if decades had passed since there were children in her kindergarten. Dorit describes her mother as a woman who had not changed over the years, and who maintained the same good spirit, broad smile and great love for children.

A relationship that lasted decades

Dorit says that the children who graduated from Ilana's kindergarten were her greatest pride. Even though forty years or more had passed since they had been in kindergarten, Ilana remembered them, was interested in them, and rejoiced in their successes. For many of them, Ilana was the first and most significant educational figure, and the relationship with her became an inseparable part of their lives. Dorit says that even though her mother lived a long life, it is very difficult to accept her passing, because there was a feeling that she would continue to live forever and infuse her good spirit into everyone around her.

Love of acting and cultural activities

Alongside her work in the kindergarten, Ilana loved to act and was part of the plays held to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the State of Israel in 1958. Later, with her full dedication to educational work, acting was pushed to the sidelines, but her love of theater and culture remained a part of her. She loved to read books, see plays and listen to music, and was full of joy and optimism that she radiated to everyone she met.

An educational legacy that lives on

Ilana Rivkin’s story is the story of an education system built out of dedication, love, and a deep belief in children. She was part of a generation of educators who laid the foundations for pre-primary education in Israel, and did so out of a true sense of mission. Her legacy lives on through the trees she planted, the pictures she hung, the children she raised, and the community she was an integral part of. For many, Ilana was much more than a teacher: she was a formative figure, a source of inspiration, and a woman who left behind a world full of fond memories.