Jade Bar Shalom z"l ~ Condolences
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    I just now learned of Jade's passing. I am so sorry.
    I got to know Jade a little a few years ago. She was in some classes I took, and while many other faces came and went, hers stuck in my mind, because I was in awe of the power of life she seemed to exude. I don't think I have ever met anyone so intensely positive. Although I never really got to know her beyond class, whenever I met her in the halls or in the English department, she was smiling, caring, truly interested, offering ideas and bubbling with energy.
    On one occasion, in the beginning of the academic year, she came into the room and greeted everyone; I got a big, spontaneous hug, just like that (the best kind). Surprised, I hugged her back rather enthusiastically. Jade laughed and said, "uch, now THAT'S a good hug!". She truly seemed to relish human contact, always patient, empathetic, and involved. As I now read about her many activities and initiatives, they seem to fit exactly what I remember about her.
    As a fellow student, I remember feeling like I was witnessing the best example of a true academic in action – Jade was as sharp as they come, always intrigued by possible interpretations and complex connections which had often eluded the rest of us until that very moment, creative and motivated (the word feels like an understatement). But what truly resonates with me, as I am sure it does with countless others, is her spirit. It seems clear that Jade was a rare person. The fact that she made such an impression even on people who did not get to know her well attests to that fact.

    Anat


    Dear Ilan and Family,
    I was so sorry to hear that Jade had passed away.
    I got to know Jade through our correspondence regarding her articles in the ETAI Forum, and then heard her speak at a summer conference. I was tremendously impressed by what she said about learning difficulties and by the warmth and vibrancy with which she conveyed her message; she herself was a shining example of how it is possible to overcome physical handicaps to reach the very highest of intellectual standards.
    The "Books for Israel" project was an amazing initiative. It reflected how much she cared for the needs of Israeli children, and how much effort she and her whole family put into making the ideas work. I know that hours and hours were spent in organizing the project and turning it into a viable resource for hundreds of diverse communities all over Israel.
    I sincerely hope that Jade's work will be able to be continued as a living memorial to her wonderful spirit. May her hopes for peace, harmony and cooperation between the communities of Israel as well as the Diaspora be fulfilled, and may the family derive comfort from the deep appreciation of Israel's teaching community.
    Yours very sincerely,
    Batya Lederfein


    Ilan and family,
    My sincere condolences on the passing of Jade.
    I too first met Jade at the ACT course in Oranim and found her to be such a warm and honest person whose presentation was so close to my heart as I have a son with several learning difficulties facing some of the difficulties she described . As a mentor and a teacher in Tiberas I know just how many schools received books via the book project and how appreciative all were.
    Debbie Gabai
    Mitzpe Massad


    Dear Family I have never met Jade a\"h personally-but was involved with her in the Books for Israel project.
    It was a wonderful Chesed and many schools in the Binyamin area benefitted from it. I enjoyed working with such a wonderful woman. She will be remembered for many years to come , as the students continue to read the books.
    My sincere sympathy,
    Tzvia Shvat


    Ilan, Aylam, Dovraht and Zohar,
    Our thought and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
    Jade gave so much to so many people. She will be missed by all of us.
    Micki, Reuven, Danna and Shani


    It was with great sadness that I learned of Jade's death. Many years ago she and Ilan spent some time in the deep south before going north and even then she was a special figure. I later met her at conferences and the last time was at the ACT course held in Oranim. She will always stand out as a person to be admired and a lovely human being. Her family must be very proud of her.
    Denise


    I am not part of this network, but I wanted to write in anyway. Jade was my colleague at the Univ. of Haifa, and my dear friend. With her generous, empathic spirit; the sheer force and warmth of her extraordinary personality; her many, many talents (not only as a teacher, intellectual and writer, but also as seamstress and baker and painter and designer)--she made the world a better, happier place. No matter how bad the times, Jade only had to walk into the room to make the day brighter. Words of encouragement, praise, and gratitude came naturally to her. We were all blessed to have her in our lives, can hardly believe that she's gone--her gallant spirit will remain with us, always.
    Sarah Gilead


    To Ilan and family I offer my deepest condolences on the passing of Jade.
    I had the pleasure of meeting you all when you came to visit our school as part of the books project. I also knew Jade from Oranim.
    What a dynamic, beautiful woman she was and the feeling of optimism, hope and love radiated from her. When she spoke you felt her passion for everything that she did. You saw how she overcame many obstacles in her life and gave hope to all those around her.
    May she rest in peace and I will remember her for the special person that she was.
    Barry Praag
    Kibbutz Dafna
    HAr Vagai School


    I never met Jade personally; I only discovered her through the English teachers' forum. Still, from everything I've read, I understand that she was a truly amazing person. I want to convey my feeling of sadness at her passing and condolences to her family.
    Linda Dayan


    Dear Jade
    You touched, moved and inspired me when we studied together as classmates in Oranim.
    You continued to inspire me as I observed your amazing career.
    You clearly made a difference in this world.
    Thank you for everything you gave
    Maia Benkow Zur


    Dear Ilan and family,
    The day I saw Jade give her presentation back in the Oranim days, I knew that this woman was bound for great things. She has amazing gifts: her articulate manner of speaking, lots of humor, a dynamic mind, erudite on so many levels and fields of knowledges. I loved to listen to her!
    A few years back, I watched her quietly climb the academic ladder at Haifa University. I was so elated seeing her there knowing that she had a mission to do - passing her knoweldge to others. She has happy to see me too and we had some nice chats. I can hear her voice now.
    She will always be a person who knew no limits when it came time to give. She gave from every corner possible of the heart, soul and mind.
    As I write this, I can't believe she is no longer with us. It hardly seems possible. I will miss her utterly and fondly.
    Dorit Sasson


    To the family of Jade I send my sincere condolences and wish them the strength to continue with long and fulfilled lives and safety in the present situation.
    Having first encountered Jade at the ACT conference I found her to be fun, sincere, knowledgeable and as everyone knows a very special person. I met her several times following at various conferences and always enjoyed her company and realised she had so much to offer. She will be sorely missed by all who had the privilege to make her acquaintance.
    Sincerely,
    Rosalind Jacobs


    I would like to express heart-felt condolances at the loss of a beautiful, dear soul, a Light to all, a positive and indefatigable spirit ...
    I miss and love you, dearest Jade,
    'Long life' to Ilan and the family, Jade's friends and the teaching/academic community ...
    Raymond,
    Tsfat


    Please accept my deepest sympathy to you and your family. May God give you the strength to go on.
    Dolores Kanaaneh


    Dearest Ilan and family,
    I am here listening to the katushas falling all around me and wondering what I can say to alleviate the pain of losing someone so dear. No words can help just the knowledge that she was loved by many. I loved her smile, laughter and genuine warmth in everything she touched. We had many a laugh in Oranim and as a fellow teacher she inspired me with enthusiasm and the need to strive for more.
    Jade will be sadly missed.
    Regards
    Winnie Enbar


    I would like to add my deepest condolences to Jade's family at her passing. I have known Jade for nearly ten years. Our friendship began during the year I taught methodology to her class at Oranim, and continued throughout the years. Her courage and bravery in life were matched by her fiery brilliance and her endless goodness. The world has lost a great thinker and an inspiration to all of us. May her memory be blessed.

    Randi Harlev


    I join everyone who has expressed their condolences at the untimely passing of Jade Bar Shalom. I heard Jade speak at the ETAI Conference a few years ago. I think it was at the international conference (not sure). i was amazed at her presentation, at her intelligence, her ability to express herself and her sensitivity, She was so articulate it was amazing. Jade and I just seemed to click and there seemed to be as they say chemistry between us. I admired her so much. We really were in close contact since then (although mainly through email). I was so upset when I heard about Jade's illness, feeling at a loss not really knowing what I, in my small way, could do to show how much I felt for Jade and her wonderful family. At the ETAI conference this year Batya Lederfein and I organzied a booth, trying to show on a very small scale what the Bar Shalom family had done in Israel with the Jade Bar Shalom Books for Israel Project. The teachers at the conference all expressed their appreciation and admiration for the family. I know that I am speaking on behalf of all the English teachers who knew or heard of Jade and her family when I express my deepest condolences on Jade's passing away.

    Margaret Porat


    I worked closely with Jade in the English Department at the University of Haifa a couple of years ago. I was always impressed by her desire to help people, as well as her brilliance. She had a unique ability to overcome problems.
    She was a warm and loving person.

    I am very sorry to hear that she is gone.

    Elaine Gelber


    Jade was a unique woman of incredible strength and her goodness of heart was something all who knew her basked in. Jade was truly a beautiful woman both physically and spiritually and Audrey Hepburn's inspiring "beauty tips" may have been written with her in mind.
    She is missed.

    from Audrey Hepburn's beauty tips:
    For attractive lips, speak words of kindness. For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people. For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry. For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day. For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone. People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed and redeemed; never throw out anyone.Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of each of your arms. As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mode, but the true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives the passion that she shows.

    Nancy



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