Dani was born in Tel Aviv in 1927 to parents who had immigrated a few years previously from Berlin. He grew up in a very Zionistic and musical house, the family played instruments and Dani played the flute from an early age until the day of his death. From the age of 10, Dani was involved in youth movements and became a counselor and educator, something he continued throughout his life.
Dani was recruited to the Palmach and sent to Kibbutz Beit Ha'arava, directly north of the Dead Sea. At the time when the women and children were evacuated from the kibbutz, Dani was involved in defending the kibbutz and was seriously wounded. He was transported to Tel Aviv and saved by Dr. Wolf, whose daughter Margalit later became Dani's wife. Dani and Margalit married and had three children, Ido, Hadas and Naomi. Naomi died in her early twenties of breast cancer.
Dani and Margolit with others from Beit Haarava, founded Kibbutz Cabri, directly east of Nahariya. In the early days of the kibbutz, Dani was a shepherd but fairly early on, was sent to study and became a teacher and an administrator of the school on the kibbutz.
In 1965, Dani became the manager of the kibbutz and from then on a long list of jobs and roles in the kibbutz movement and in the Israeli political scene. From 1972-76, he served as the Secretary of the Kibbutz Hameuchad movement and later was asked to run on the Labor Party's Knesset list serving as a Knesset member in the ninth and tenth Knessets. He at various times served on the committees of finance, defense and security and education.
In 1991, Dani left his political life and returned to the university and received his Ph.d in sociology and became a teacher and researcher of the history of the state, the very time that he himself played a role in its making.
Dani began his relationship with the Partnership five years ago, first as the chair of the Social-Cultural sub- committee (in the previous format) and later became the Israel chair of the Joint Steering Committee, becoming the chair emeritus this past June.
Dani left us this past October and is survived by his wife Margalit, two children and five grandchildren.
Condolences to the family of Dani Rosolio
Dani, as the chair of the Partnership with the Western Galilee and the 14 communities of the Central Area Consortium played a key role in shaping and constantly upgrading the Partnership.
He will be sorely missed by all of us.
David Stanley, Chair, Dallas, Texas
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On this eve of Sukkot, it is with great sadness and shock that Dominica and I learned of Dani's passing. We felt his warmth and knew his presence to be a gift to all who interacted with the Partnership.
We will miss his contributions to our ventures, his remarks at our meetings, but know that he had so much to do with the success of our joint cooperation. Please extend our condolences to his family.
John Strauss & Dominica Sanchez, Canton, Ohio
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Sorry to hear the sad news. Please express my condolences to his family.
Thanks.
Steve Shapiro, Louisville, Kentucky
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I am so sorry to learn of Dani's death. He was a warm, sweet, kind man and I am glad I had a chance to know him. I wish his family peace. May Dani rest in peace and his family find solace in knowing how many people's lives were touched by his sparkle and sweet smile.
Debbi Brown Zweibach, Omaha,Nebraska
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To the Family of Dani Rosolio,
I have known Dani for only the three years that I have been a part of Partnership 2000. From Dani I learned so very much about Israel, the kibbutz movement, the new communities he was studying, the Partnership, the Western Galilee, the move from land near Jericho to the forming of Kibbutz Cabri, indeed about most anything. His gentle knowledge which he shared so generously was a source of wisdom for me, for us all. To say that he will be missed, does little to tell of how much his presence meant.
With deep and sincere condolences,
Martha Lottman, Canton, Ohio
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A shadow has been cast over the new year filled with hope and renewal. I gasped when I read this horrible news. All of us are a part of a network that brings us all together. We were a family that served to strengthen the Western Gallilee area. Dani was so much a part of this Partnership.
Dani will be missed. We pray that his family is able to cope with this loss and know how many lives he touched and be so proud of his accomplishments.
My husband Joe and I send our heartfelt sympathy.
Shalom,
Elaine Bettman, Dayton, Ohio
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The several times I met Dani I was struck with his quiet dignity, his modesty, (in spite of his history of all that he has done for Israel) and his caring.
In many ways he represented in his person and his life the best of Israel. He will be missed.
Michael Papo, Executive Director, Jewish Federation of Indianapolis, Indiana
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We, in Des Moines, join with our partners of the Western Galilee in mourning the death of our dear friend, Dani Rosolio. Aside from being the excellent spokesperson for Western Galilee College that he was, Dani's multifaceted role as leader within the Partnership inspired us all. His sense of dedication, his diplomatic skills, his knowledge of Israeli politics, his sheer intelligence, and his sense of humor - in addition to his openly professed love for Israel and the Jewish people, were all attributes that endeared him to us all.
We are saddenened by the loss and offer our heartfelt sympathies to Dani's family, friends and to our colleagues who worked most closely with him at the College and with Partnership 2000.
We will keep Dani's memory with us as a blessing.
In sorrow, but with love,
Elaine Steinger, Tim and Toni Urban, Glenn Purnell, and Mark Finkelstein, Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines, Iowa
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Marty and I are so sorry. We met him on his trip to Texas. He was a lovely man.
Cheri Auerbach, Dallas, Texas
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Dani led us well. He certainly will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. His graciousness and warmth in hosting the Yitzchak participants made all of us feel very welcome in our home in the Western Galilee. Please express my condolences and best wishes to his family.
Irvin Moscowitz, Dayton, Ohio
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How saddened I am to hear of the devastating passing of Dani. I warmly remember him as a talented, intelligent and friendly person. Please convey my deepest condolences to his wife and family; his concern and love for them possibly gave him the "out" to do what he did.
May peace be granted to his family and with the passing of time, may the precious memories of his life and achievements serve as a wonderful inspiration to them.
Very sincerely,
Zee Fisher, San Antonio, Texas
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Please express my condolences - he was a very nice person.
Harriet Hoffman, Dallas, Texas
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The Dani that I knew was so full of life...While he was with us, he was a tree of life and he planted many seeds among us that will live on...I can understand that he did not want to live on in diminished capacity...His memory will be a blessing for all of us.
Mark Isaacs, Louisville, Kentucky
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Please convey my deepest sympathy to Dani's family. I well remember the many times we met both here and in Israel. He touched many lives.
Joseph A. Rochford, Ph.D., Stark Education Partnership, Canton, Ohio
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I didn't know Dani well, but was impressed with his input and presence when he was here in Canton for the Steering committee last fall. My heart goes out to his family and I know he will be missed.
Marcie Gill-Kinast, Partnership With Israel, Canton, Ohio
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On behalf of the organized Jewish community of San Antonio, I send our condolences to the family of Dr. Dani Rosolio. He came with the first group of Western Galilee professors to make a visit to San Antonio when he was Chair of the Western Galilee College. He helped start a wonderful relationship between our communities. May his memory be a blessing.
Judy Lackritz, Community Relations Director, Jewish Federation of San Antonio
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We can only imagine the loss that Dani's family feels now. We were blessed to know his wisdom, experience, spirit, heart and passion for life, for Israel and for the college that he brought to our small community in Canton. We will always remember his ready smile, his easy friendship and his patient understanding.
We have lost a dear friend. May his memory be for blessing.
Adele and Ron Gelb, Canton, Ohio
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Dear Mrs Rosolio & Family,
I was saddened to hear of your tragic loss - Dani was wonderful mensh and a great leader of the Jewish people It was through his leadership partnership has become a success. We extend our deepest condolences.
Joan & Peter Wells, Dayton, Ohio
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Dear family of Dani Rosilio:
My husband, Lou, joins me in offering our heartfelt condolences to each of you at this very difficult time. We were privileged to have known your husband, father, and grandfather as a dear friend over the years since the Partnership 2000 was initiated. We thank you for sharing his time, that was obviously so precious to each of you, with all the people whose lives Dani touched throughout his travels to our communities.
As you may already be aware, not only did he influence the Jewish community, but Dani had an enormous impact on the Amish community as well. He was written about in a book that a Mennonite doctor authored and during Dani's last visit to Canton, Ohio, in 2004, they were able to meet and the doctor signed a copy of the book for him. Although I am not certain the doctor got all his facts completely correct, the impact Dani had on the Amish community was enormous. I know Dani wanted to come back with his family members to study the Amish and to write papers about his research. This is how we will always remember him - vibrant, alive, and always planning what would happen next.
As Dani understood, our home was always open and there will always be room for all of you here. It would give us great joy to host you when you are in the United States, please know that Dani will remain a part of our lives and his memory will always be for a blessing.
With great respect for all he accomplished,
Fondly,
Lou and Rita Schaner, Canton, Ohio
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Please send my condolences
Alan Koslow, Des Moines, Iowa
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To the Rosolio Family,
Please accept my sincere condolences on the passing of Dani. I had the great pleasure of working with Dani as a Co-chair with our Partnership. He was by far one of the most interesting, caring and knowledgeable individuals I have known. His keen insight toward people and his dedication and loyalty to the State of Israel will forever be imbedded in my mind. The years I spent meeting and talking with Dani were a learning experience, one that I will now treasure and undeniably miss. My thoughts are with all of you.
Sincerely,
Zoe Riekes, Omaha, Nebraska
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To the Rosolio Family,
It was my privilege and my pleasure to have met and worked with Dr. Dani Rosoli z"l, through his volunteer work in Partnership 2000. His vision guided the committee and its projects to enrich the lives of many of the residents of the Western Galilee and our American Partnership communities alike. Please, accept my condolences on your loss.
Judith Jochnowitz, International Liaison, Western Galilee Hospital-Nahariya
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We were shocked at the news. What courage it must have taken to take his own life.
Please give my condolences to his family. I liked him very much!
Gary Weinstein, Executive Vice-President, Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas