Rachel Rabin-Yaakov, Sister of Yitzhak Rabin, Dies at 101

Rachel Rabin-Yaakov, the younger and only sister of assassinated Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, has passed away at the age of 101. Rabin-Yaakov was a founding member of Kibbutz Manara and a long-time activist in the education system and the kibbutz movement.

Born in Tel Aviv in 1925 to Nehemiah Rabin and Rosa Cohen, known as "Red Rose," she joined the "HaNoar HaOved" movement after finishing school. In 1943, at age 18, she was involved in establishing Kibbutz Manara, located near the Lebanese border. She lived on the kibbutz for approximately 80 years, working as an educator and serving in leadership roles.

Rabin-Yaakov also helped found the "Har Ve'Gai" regional school and dedicated many years to education. Following the outbreak of the northern Israel war in 2023, she was evacuated from Manara along with other elderly residents and resided near the Sea of Galilee. She celebrated her 100th birthday there in 2025. Her daughter mentioned at the time that Rabin-Yaakov longed to return to Manara, much of which had been damaged by Hezbollah shelling.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog offered condolences, stating, "Her long and impressive life journey was a model of educational and public activity. For decades, Rachel was a leading figure in Manara and in the kibbutz movement as a whole, and educated many generations of students."