The most recent city council meeting was dedicated in part to the memory of the late Binyamin Wolfovitz, former city council head and mayor of Raanana, who served from 1969-1989.  Invited to the council meeting held this past Thursday, were members of the Wolfovitz family including his widow, Sarah, and his daughters, as well as the legendary city council secretary who served along side him for many years, Yossi Ravid.

Mayor Nahum Hofree eulogized Wolfovitz and emphasized the important part he played in Raanana’s development and its transformation from small town to city.  Nahum Hofree: “You came to Israel as a hero who survived the Holocaust.  Heroes are those who experienced pure hatred, were targets of abuse and humiliation, lost their loved ones as a result of genocide, and survived.  You survived and chose life, chose to live in the State of Israel.  We say farewell to you, but your spirit and vision continue with us.  Your imprint can be found in every corner of the city.  We thank you for turning Raanana into a source of pride for us all.”

During the meeting, a moving film prepared especially for this event was screened, which documented the city council meeting in 1981, in which Wolfovitz made the announcement that Raanana had become a city.  Mayor Nahum Hofree presented Wolfovitz’s widow with a copy of the film.
  
Former Raanana mayor, Binyamin Wolfovitz passed away at the age of 87.  Wolfovitz, a Raanana dignitary, began his public service as secretary of the Workers’ Council and subsequently was elected as the head of the city council and served in this position from 1969 to 1981.  When Raanana officially was proclaimed a city in June of 1981, he continued to lead as mayor until 1989.

Over the years, Wolfovitz played an important and substantial part in the development of Raanana and its transformation into one of Israel’s leading cities, while laying the foundations for its accelerated development in the fields of transportation, educational and public institutions, etc.  During his tenure, he established middle and elementary schools, Yad LaBanim, the absorption center, the country club, the handball and squash club and many other institutions.

In the photo:  The mayor presenting a copy of the historic film to Sarah Wolfovitz.  Photographer:  Motti Ben Aroya.