ב'‏‎, Av תשס"ח Jerusalem,
August 3 , 2008

Dear friends,

On Wednesday July 30, I represented the extended Jewish Agency for Israel and World Zionist Organization family as I attended the funeral of Michal Elboim, a "young emissary" who died tragically in Pensacola Florida at the age of 24, during her year of service.

As I, and many others, accompanied Michal to her final resting place, I was struck by the pain and sorrow of this unfortunate reality. This life of this young woman—an individual full of charm, joy, and willingness to give—was brought to a premature end. Michal was a promising emissary of the Jewish State and Jewish People, working to bring Israel and Judaism into the lives of Jews throughout North America. And this tragic accident, that took Michal from us, occurred only two weeks before her year-long service abroad was to end and she was to return to Israel to begin her studies.

As news of Michal’s death reached us, a picture of a very special young woman emerged. Meeting with her parents, speaking to her fellow emissaries, hearing from her family and friends all gave us a glimpse of a fine young Israeli—the finest they come—who loved her country, her Jewish homeland, and the Jewish People.

Michal's whole life was filled with giving of herself; she was an active participant in various social, national, and Zionist activities. For many years she was a counselor in the Israel Scouts youth movement, and following high school she volunteered for a year in the town of Migdal Haemek and was one of the  founders of the Israel Scouts there.  In the army, she completed an officers' training course and served as a Service Conditions Officers.  Upon her discharge, she chose to become a "Young Emissary" with the Jewish Agency, to be a living bridge for deepening the connection between the Jewish community of Pensacola, Florida and the State of Israel.

As Michal prepared to complete her year and return to Israel, she invested time and energy in leaving her own special mark on the community. She was widely admired for her excellence and her dedication and especially for her success in bringing the Israeli spirit and Israeli values to so many in the community whose lives she touched, especially the children, youths and students with whom she worked. 

Most recently she was in Israel with a Birthright group of young Pensacola Jews who were experiencing their first trip to Israel. Michal was personally involved in recruiting each of the participants and was proud of the connection between young Diaspora Jews and the State of Israel that she was working to create.

Michal planned to study Anthropology and Israel Studies at Ben Gurion University in the Negev and to join the local "Ayalim" young community- a group of young Israelis who chose to fulfill the mission of settling the Negev while doing educational and community work with children and youth at-risk.  It was only natural that Michal join this group, another Jewish Agency supported program—a clear characterization of her principles and her personality.

Michal is survived by her parents Shosh and Ishai, her sister Tal and her brother Gil -- a loving and supportive family that raised her and educated her on the values of loving her country and social involvement.  She is also survived by a boyfriend whom she met in the U.S., a young American Jew, a Hebrew speaker, who was with her at the time of the accident and accompanied her coffin back to Israel. He also delivered a heart-rending eulogy at her funeral, and was joined by thousands of Michal’s friends as they came to say goodbye.

Michal also left behind her Jewish Agency family, all those professionals and individuals, children and teens, who were touched by her charm, who admired her dedication and her professional work and loved her.

I would like to take the opportunity to acknowledge Bemi Richter, Director of Educational Human Resources at the Jewish Agency, and employees of the Jewish Agency's Education Department who did their utmost to assist Michal’s family and make the necessary arrangements for her burial in Israel.

We embrace the Elboim family and together with them, we mourn the loss of Michal. 

Michal will be greatly missed by her parents, her family and by her friends among the young emissaries and in the Jewish Agency.  

May her memory be a blessing.

Zeev Bielski