I remember Bracha & Binyamin Yanoov from the days in Herzliya when ESRA was just being established. Professor Binyamin Yanoov was a lecturer at Bar Ilan University in the School of Social Work, and I was privileged to attend a course on volunteering – part of the course for social workers.

A psychiatric social worker, Bracha offered a support group for women with breast cancer, one of the early ESRA services for the English speaking community.

The Yanoovs moved to the North in the 80’s. When Binyamin died, Bracha moved to Moshav Udim where her daughter Mira lives. Bracha immediately came once again to ESRA to volunteer. The new befrienders group was just being set up and its coordinator, Val Kantor says; "Bracha never said no to making a visit to someone who needed a listening ear and comfort, no matter how difficult. She was an invaluable member of the befrienders’ team and will be missed by all".

When the second Lebanese war broke out, Bracha visited the Mishan home in Raanana where over 60 incapacitated elderly were brought from the North. 

Her willingness and dedication were remarkable – she was not so young herself. Her identification with Israel was absolute. Someone in Udim said they thought Bracha was born in Israel (the Yanoov’s came from Canada), because of her immediate involvement in the community.

We in ESRA miss Brach, and hope her son and daughter and their families will take comfort in learning about "sabta's" contribution to the community, ESRA and the country.