Yehuda Avner z”l was born in Manchester, England. His eyes sparkled every time he recounted the carriage ride to Buckingham Palace to present his credentials to the Queen as the Ambassador from Israel, passing his many British siblings along his way. It was an important historical posting, as the previous Israeli Ambassador had been shot and critically injured by members of a PLO splinter group.
Directly involved with Israel and its developing history from 1948, as adviser and speechwriter to many Israeli Prime Ministers, there will be many pieces published now that he has passed away.
We met Yehuda and Mimi Avner in Australia, his last and perhaps favorite posting.
Canberra could be a lonely, isolated place for an Israeli Ambassador, where Avner served from 1992-1995. Locked in with security levels higher than those of any Australian, including all of the government and Prime Minister, Avner could never just go out to buy a newspaper.
The Avners loved to come to Melbourne where they were welcomed and treated royally. Everyone knew when Yehuda Avner was in the synagogue, there were those blokes hanging around outside and the slow moving security car following as he walked on the Shabbat.
Always a great story teller, Yehuda Avner was often in the center of crowd with something important to say and people listened.
We have the fondest of memories of visiting the Avners in Canberra. Theirs was the only kosher place to eat – Mimi had insisted on making the residence kosher. The Ambassador became a real Aussie using his new barbie for our visit. With grandchildren coming soon after our visit, he tried out his new grill to the great pleasure of our young children.
“Uncle Gubi” was a special person. I loved to receive an encouraging email from him.
We will all miss hearing his stories and his sage advice.
May his memory be a blessing.
