Phyllis Bloch was born in Brooklyn, New York. She studied at Mills College of Education and received a degree in Early Childhood education. Her Masters degree was from Queens College, majoring in special education with an emphasis on the gifted and talented. In Israel she worked for Israel Television (ITV) in the children's department of Channel 1, selecting cartoons at first and finally produced a program for young children called Marzipan and another program called Sod Camus...and had a wonderful experience. She was also an English teacher for the Israeli Ministry of Education.
Phyllis came to live in Israel for the first time in 1976, and again in 1989 when she returned with her family after an extended stay in Washington at the Israeli Embassy where her late husband, Danny, served as the minister for labor affairs. When they settled in Herzliya in the early 1990’s, Phyllis “found ESRA”. At that time a large group of Ethiopian immigrants were brought to the Absorption Center in Kfar Saba. It was there that Phyllis, together with another volunteer, started the ESRA Ethiopian Embroidery Project with the women producing embroidered mezzuzot. The project has expanded into many other products and is still growing...in Phyllis’s words: “for me a true labor of love” Adds Phyllis: “As I look back in the years that have passed, I feel so enriched by the opportunities afforded me. I have served in many different positions in ESRA, have made wonderful friends and feel a sense of pride in the beautiful and unique embroidery that we have helped preserve for the 50 women and men that are part of this project”.
by Phyllis Bloch
Highlights from the Journalist’s Conference including
more ...
a session on the Jewish Media in the Diaspora, and a moving session addressed by the father of Daniel Pearl, the journalist who was brutally murdered.
Close
|
|
by Phyllis Bloch
Dr Bookie Chish the deputy mayor of Kfar Saba met members
more ...
of the Esra Kfar Saba committee to learn about Esra and its current needs. Some of these needs were immediately seen to and the committee are looking forward to continue working with him.
Close
|
by Phyllis Bloch
Phyllis pays tribute to Fay Silverman who was a dearly
more ...
loved friend and who passed away recently in San Francisco. Among Fay's many attributes, Phyllis describes her involvement in the life of a Palestinian child who had been paralyzed in a military action during the second intifada.
Close
|
|
by Phyllis Bloch
Recently Elbit Systems asked ESRA to embroider 800
more ...
mezzuzot for their new office building opening in Netanya. Elbit wanted Ethiopian embroidery on the mezzuzot because, besides the fact that their embroidery is wonderful, most of the women who clean the building are Ethiopian. Read Phyllis Bloch's account of this endeavor and the pride felt by the cleaners as they saw their embroidery gracing the doorways
Close
|
by Phyllis Bloch
Home parties are proving successful venues for the
more ...
sale of beautiful items made by ESRA’S Ethiopian embroidery groups.
Close
|
by Phyllis Bloch
Aviva Adanyho, designer of ESRA’s new note cards,
more ...
spoke to Phyllis Bloch about
her early days in Israel. She and her husband, former deputy-mayor of Gondar, live in Netanya. In the Ethiopian tradition, they were married at an early age, and have 7 children (one still in kindergarten) and 3 grandchildren
Close
|
by Phyllis Bloch
The Ethiopian embroidery project is a huge success.
more ...
Parties Galore were held to promote these wonderful items held at various private homes in Tel Aviv and Herzliyah. Phyllis Bloch explains how you can participate.
Close
|
by Phyllis Bloch
Phyllis Bloch writes about volunteer Denise Silverman
more ...
and the high number of hamsas she has sewn on the colorful towels which are designed and sold through ESRA’s Ethiopian Embroidery project, and make wonderful gifts.
Close
|
Phyllis Bloch