BRIAN Fink was born in Barrow-in-Furness in the UK towards the end of World War II, where his mother had gone to escape the Manchester blitz and when his father was serving in the British Army. The Finks moved back to Manchester when his father was demobbed at the end of the war.

Brian attended a high school in north Manchester and went on to do a vocational course on garment construction and tailoring (his parents were then in the garment industry) at Hollings College in Manchester (today part of Manchester Metropolitan University). Brian received a certificate on successful completion of the course.

He served as chairman, co-chairman and treasurer at different times for his synagogue, Shaarei Shalom, in north Manchester (and was awarded honorary life membership upon his aliyah). Brian was also chairman of a Jewish vegetarian society in Manchester and had also served on a local Joint Israel Appeal committee.

When Brian retired as a bookseller and publishers agent, he and Natalie moved to Israel in March 2010. They live in Karmiel. He writes a monthly piece on Israeli life for their former synagogue magazine.

Brian is a founder member of the ESRA Karmiel Committee and is the current chairman. He initiated the annual quiz in 2010, devises the questions and acts as quizmaster. He organized a car treasure hunt, which will hopefully become an annual event. He also volunteers with English-speaking high school students in Karmiel.