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Shula Ankary was born in Morocco in 1937 and came, with
her parents Haim and Miriam to Israel, the year the
state was declared, 1948. Their journey to Israel was
full of hazards and hardships - from one camp to another,
through Algiers and France. Upon arrival in Israel they
were placed in an immigration camp in Beer Yacov and
afterwards in Talpiot. At the age of ten she had to
take care of her smaller brothers and sisters as her
mother was suffering from failing health. Therefore
she could not complete her high school studies. Even
then she understood the importance of higher education
and was sorry she could not continue her studies due
to her family situation.
Shula married at the age of17 and raised five children,
stressing the importance of education. Her ambition
was for her children to go to University. Shula considered
education to be the basis for success. In her view it
offered the best chance for her children to become properly
established in life. She encouraged her own children
and also the children of relatives and neighbors to
pursue their studies. In spite of her economic situation
and the fact that she was on her own, living apart from
her husband, she used all her energy and resources to
educate her children. She encouraged, supported and
supervised their progress from elementary through high
school and University.
At the age of 37 she started doing volunteer work, in
an organization helping new immigrants and the needy,
for which she received an award
from the President of Israel. At the age of 42 Shula
started going to night school in order to continue her
studies. At last she could do for herself what she had
always encouraged others to do.
At the age of 55 Shula’s health deteriorated due
to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease)
but she continued her voluntary activities despite being
restricted to a wheelchair.
Shula was a wonderful person who had a love for people,
tolerance, moral values and the ability to see the best
in every situation. She was a true optimist.
In 1997 She died in great pain, at the age of 59, in
her apartment in Jerusalem.
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