Rachel Rabin, Founding Member of Kibbutz Menara and Educator, Dies at 101

Rachel Rabin, a pioneer, educator, and founding member of Kibbutz Menara, passed away at the age of 101. Born in Jerusalem to Rosa and Nehemia Rabin, she was the younger sister of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. Rabin was a prominent figure in the kibbutz movement and dedicated her life to education, establishing regional schools and serving in leadership roles within the kibbutz and the Ministry of Education.

She was a Zionist pioneer from the 1948 generation, helping to establish Kibbutz Menara in the Upper Galilee in 1943. Rabin served as the kibbutz secretary five times and was deeply involved in its development. Her passion, however, was education. She began as a kindergarten teacher and later taught the first classes, eventually founding the regional school "Har Ve'Gai" when her students reached high school age, a move that went against the prevailing educational philosophy of her movement at the time.

Rabin also had a significant role in preserving the memory of her brother, Yitzhak Rabin, after his assassination. She spoke of a deep connection with him, even claiming a form of telepathy. She expressed fears for his safety prior to his murder, feeling he was not adequately protected.

Her life was marked by significant personal loss, including the death of her adopted son, Benia, in the Yom Kippur War and her son Yiftah being severely wounded in the same conflict. Her husband, Rafi Yaakov, passed away 14 years ago. She is survived by 11 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

President Isaac Herzog eulogized Rabin, calling her life an "example of educational and public endeavor" and a "leading figure in Menara and the kibbutz movement." He noted her deep pain over her brother's assassination but her continued dedication to public service. A biography of Rabin, written by her granddaughter Maya Valentine, was recently published.