ZOA extends condolences to the entire Falic family on the sudden passing of Fima Falic, true Zionist and generous Israel supporter.
Guided by Fima, the entire Falic family – his children Simon, Jerome, Leon, and his wife Nily – has shown unprecedented support and love for Israel, with a focus on the communities of Judea and Samaria and the welfare of Israeli soldiers. The degree to which the Falics are loved and admired in Israel was demonstrated by the remarkable turnout of both national leadership and common folk at a funeral held with virtually no advance notice, and on a Friday afternoon when most in Israel are busy preparing for Shabbat. Mourners lingered for a long time after the funeral to recall the many deeds of the Falic family on behalf of the people and Land of Israel.
ZOA has greatly benefited from the Falics’ generous support in Judea and Samaria. Only a few weeks ago, during the ZOA Student Leadership Mission to Israel, ZOA students were brought to the Psagot Winery and Binyamin Welcome Center owned by Fima Falic’s son, Simon Falic. Several of the students attending the mission had even been sponsored by the Falic Family Foundation.
Sharona Whisler, ZOA Campus Department Managing Director, remarked on the Falic family’s generous support and its impact on the students, “Having a visit to the Psagot Winery and Binyamin Welcome Center incorporated into the ZOA student trip itinerary has added so much to the education and experience the students get in Judea and Samaria. It allows them to see the deep Jewish roots to the land and meet the people who continue to work towards re-establishing the Jewish presence in Judea and Samaria. The visit to Psagot is made possible by the Falic family. The loss of such a great Zionist role model in Fima Falic is deeply painful. His legacy will continue in his children, grandchildren, and great-grand children and in all those who have been fortunate enough to have met or known Fima Falic or anyone in the Falic family. The members of the family that I’ve had the privilege to meet and get to know exemplify an amazing pro-active quality, to step up when their Jewish brethren are in need without the slightest desire for recognition. They do what needs to be done, without being asked, because it’s the right thing to do. The hundreds of mourners who came to pay respects at the funeral and shiva, several of whom flew in from abroad just to be by the mourners’ side, also recognize this special quality.”
ZOA Israel Office Director Jeff Daube observed, “The Falics are revered beyond words in Israel. So many people and places have been touched by their kindness. At the funeral, and again at the shiva, I was overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and respect for the patriarch of this great family. As one after another paid tribute to Fima Falic’s smile, his warmth and kindness and hospitality, and his insistence on speaking only approvingly of others, I could not help but think those attributes clearly live on in his children and grandchildren.”
“In fact, I myself have experienced these family qualities firsthand,” Daube noted. “particularly the readiness to help others. The ZOA has benefited from this time and again. I was especially taken by Simon’s hospitality when he opened his Psagot winery and visitors center to Governor Mike Huckabee during our joint program last year. Simon went out of his way to ensure the governor and his 200-person entourage would feel at home. Having learned so much about Simon’s father I now understand where this incredible generosity comes from.”
ZOA National President Morton A. Klein added, “We at ZOA were deeply grieved when we heard about Fima Falic’s passing. The pro-Israel Zionist community lost a true lover of Zion, who we understand insisted that the land he loved, in particular Jerusalem, should serve as his final resting place.” Klein continued, “The Falic family’s dedication to the Zionist enterprise is known far and wide. We look forward to preserving Fima Falic’s memory by building and protecting the land he was devoted to in partnership with his loving family.”