July 30, 2008 / 27 Tammuz 5768
With pain and shock, we announce the death of the Jewish Agency emissary, Michal Elboim of blessed memory. Michal was a community emissary in Pensacola Florida as part of the Jewish Agency's ‘Arevim’ community emissary program.
Michal was killed in a boating accident in Perdido Bay, on Sunday, July 27.
Her friends relate that she loved to travel and contribute to society. Last year she worked unflaggingly on behalf of the residents of Sderot and the Gaza perimeter: “She was an ethical and a Zionist individual who constantly thought of values and educational achievement. She had a million friends.”
Dear Education Committee Members,
I am very sad to inform you that the Jewish Agency family has suffered a tragic loss. Michal Elboim, a young volunteer shlicha in the community of Pensacola, Florida, was killed in a tragic boating accident this past Sunday and will be laid to rest in Israel within the next couple of hours.
Michal was killed towards the very end of her one-year term of shlichut, during which time she succeeded in developing close ties with the Pensacola Jewish community and its young people, with other young volunteer shlichim based in North America, and with the staff of the Areivim Young Volunteer Shlichut Unit within our Department.
Having completed a year of National Service in the Israeli Scouts and having served as an officer in the Israeli Defense Forces, Michal demonstrated a spirit of volunteerism, seriousness and dedication – traits which most recently found expression in her decision to serve as a young volunteer shlicha.
Shortly before her untimely death, Michal took part in a virtual broadcast to train and guide our Department's new shlichim prior to their arrival in their new positions. During this broadcast, our new shlichim witnessed first-hand Michal's unique joy and zest for life.
Although Michal succeeded in fulfilling many of her dreams at a young age, she was tragically killed when her sights were set on new horizons, including enrollment in Ben Gurion University and participation in Ayalim, a Jewish Agency sponsored program which encourages young Israelis to settle and build the Negev and Galilee.
All of us – the Areivim Young Volunteer Shlichut Unit, the Education Department, and the Jewish Agency – mourn this tragic loss and our hearts go out to Michal's parents, siblings, extended family and friends.
Michal represents the very best of Israeli youth and Jewish-Zionist education.
May her memory be a blessing.
Alan Hoffmann