Our Sister Miriam Nothmann – z"l

Last Saturday, the Jaffa kehilla celebrated her 74th birthday. Miriam loved our communities and helped them to grow. Daughter of a Jewish father and a Christian mother, refugees from Nazi Germany, she was educated in Jaffa and at the end of her schooling, she joined the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Apparition. She was the right hand of Father Alfred Delmée, beloved priest of the Jaffa kehilla from 1958 to 1985. Father Delmée was killed in a car accident and in his car were both Miriam and her mother at the time of the accident. The mother was killed and Miriam was badly injured.

For many years, Miriam helped many people in many different ways. She prepared a multitude of children for first communion and confirmation. In recent years, she extended a helping hand to migrant workers and to asylum seekers. Her quiet presence in the kehilla was a source of strength for the members of the kehilla and she stayed in contact with the veterans and with the newcomers.

We will miss her wisdom, her help, her support and her quiet presence. May her memory be a source of blessing!