For years Ed Pachtman was a regular feature at the ESRA store in Raanana. Whether he was behind the counter, sorting and pricing new items, helping a customer or balancing the books, he volunteered with the determination and professionalism that characterized his entire life – and always with a smile.  After making aliyah from Perth, Western Australia to Jerusalem in 1972, Edward and wife, Val, moved to Raanana in 1986 and immediately became involved in community volunteering. They received an ESRA volunteer award in 2001 and the Raanana municipality volunteer award in 2005.

Edward passed away in January 2009 but his volunteering spirit and service to whichever community he lived in will always ensure that his memory stays fresh and his legacy continues to nurture others.

In 1959, Val and Edward were among the founders of a Jewish day school in Perth, Western Australia. These are some of the recollections of its recently held 50th anniversary celebrations.

On a recent balmy spring morning, a group of 50 people gathered at the sprawling moshav home of Dalya Deutsch (née Pachtman) not far from Netanya, to celebrate a major milestone ― the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Carmel school. This very special group represented all the various facets of Carmel ― the dreamers, the founders, the first parents who with great determination sent their children to this new school, teachers, and the students from the very first year until just now. Despite the age differences, it was the shared values, ideals and identity that empowered the crowd. People had come from all over Israel (and even from London) to join the event. Together with the students were Val Pachtman (who together with her husband Edward was one of the founders of the school), Miriam BenAmi (whose beloved husband Yitzchak was a mainstay of Jewish education in the early years), Manny and Betty Fisher (religious educators in every meaning of the words), Ziona Sacks (a representative of the Israeli teachers), Ray Levy (one of the first mothers) with the entire Levy clan.

Val Pachtman spoke movingly of the early days together with the group of young and idealistic friends who rallied around an idea and worked so hard to create the school. Mike Benn (student number 11) educated all on the importance of "the little things" (those very special events that make up lifelong memories). One of the most emotional moments was when we listened to a tape recording of Michael Singer, the legendary headmaster  (1963 -1977). Unfortunately he could not attend but the guests were riveted to his every word (as were his students, always). The younger generation was represented most eloquently by Brad Kitay and Shua Solomon. Miriam Frankel (Pachtman), who was in the school's very first class, was the master of ceremonies. Special thanks to Julie Carlin (Pachtman) and daughters Pia and Timna who worked so hard to coordinate together with Mike Benn, and also to chef Yoni Deutsch (son of Dalya) who prepared a magnificent buffet.

And as we swapped memories, laughed, and wept away tears, we burst with pride at being part of this dream that had built our reality. For we all agreed that it was the Carmel education that had brought us to Israel ― either to live or to visit ― and that had provided us with tools of understanding and respect for our Jewish identity. And as we have also taken on an Israeli identity, we still continue to be proud of our Aussie accents ― and of our membership in that very elite club ― being an OKC.

As Val Pachtman said: "when we chose the motto faith and knowledge, little did we know that we would stand here today in the knowledge that our faith was so justified and would be so rewarded".

May many more generations of students learn to look back with perspective on the beauty that is Carmel.

And on a personal note, as we Pachtman girls were blessed to have been brought up as part of the history of a community so we are blessed to have been able to truly celebrate the respect and honor given to our father throughout this morning. He would have been so proud, as he ― and may they live long ― all those wonderfully dedicated and visionary community leaders and activists rightfully should be.