Sometime around 1980 I was walking in Meah Shearim and passed by Yeshiva Meah Shearim. Army officers were in front of the Yeshiva, talking about the Yeshiva to a group of Israeli soldiers. The sign with Esther Leibowitz's name and her organization were in plain view. I hesitated in approaching them and telling them that it is my grandmother whose name was on the sign and who contributed so much to the Yeshiva. Perhaps I thought they wouldn't believe me.. and afterwards I regretted not doing so.
In 2000, after 14 years away I visited Israel for 1 month. One thursday, after walking all day Jerusalem I went into Meah Shearim at nightfall with a male companion. I remember asking for directions a number of times in order to find Yeshiva Meah Shearim, and walking around Meah Shearim quite a bit until I was able to come upon the Yeshiva. It was exciting for me to see the Yeshiva that had been such a focus of my grandmother's life, and the sign with her name and organization again after so much time. I noticed and was concerned that the sign was quite blackened and in need of repair, as is the sign or lettering on Yeshiva Bochurim a few blocks away.
That same evening my friend and I went into a bakery and bought some rugelach and other cakes. As I recall, even the bakery was divided into 2 sections - one for men and one for women. The clerk behind the counter however was not a stickler about that and I think my friend and I both converged on the male side. Afterwards we visited various challah bakeries in the area.
Below is an overexposed photo of Avraham who gave me the tour of both buildings and brought me into the Yeshiva office. He knew Esther Leibowitz from when he was a child and student of the Yeshiva, and now he works there. I believe he remembers how my grandmother's funeral procession left the Yeshiva in March, 1988 and went up to Mt. of Olives for her burial. We spent a few hours going around the Yeshiva, the old and the new buildings. He was a very good tour guide and it was a pleasure - he was informative and open to questions.
Last modified September 2007.