Avraham, a Holocaust survivor, made aliyah in 1998 from New York with his late wife Ruth.  He managed luggage factories for prestigious companies there.  When he came to Israel he looked for a special place where he could use his talents and help his community. ESRA’s Netanya Sewing Centers were lucky enough to find Avraham and for the past 12 years he has volunteered several times a week in each of the centers. He uses the expertise he gained in his business in the USA, to maintain and repair the sewing machines donated to the ESRA projects.  These machines are generally 20-50 years old and Avraham has been instrumental in allowing these centers to develop and grow with no high maintenance overheads. Over the years Avraham became the beloved “grandfather” of the children who were brought to the sewing groups, as the parents didn’t have babysitters for them. Avraham would play with them, entertain them, bring them treats and generally spoil them just like a “saba”. Even though Avraham has not been too well this past year, his continued participation in these projects is an essential part of the centers, and of the Ethiopians learning in the centers who have come to rely on him as a good friend.  He never lets us down!