Mr. David Halevy, 88, OBM

Mr. David Halevy, a businessman from Los Angeles, passed away on the 14th day of Sivan, 5783, at the time of “Raava D’Ravim” on the Shabbos of Parshas Naso.

He was 88.

David Halevy – ‘Dahud Hilawi’ (sweet) – was born on Yom Kippur, 1935, in Baghdad Iraq. An ardent Zionist, he was a runner for the T’nuah – the illegal underground, and had the code-name Go-el.

In the Spring of 1950, he escaped to Eretz Yisrael at the age of 15. Finding himself penniless and alone, he searched for work. In his wanderings, he met a holocaust survivor who had saved his life through his skill in bricklaying. He offered to take David as his apprentice and taught him to be a master bricklayer.

When his parents arrived to a refugee camp in Israel, David saw them living in sub-standard conditions. He did not rest until he had built them a house out of ration cans with cement rendering.

On March 17, 1964, he married Shoham- Sue – Chacham (Harkham). Four years later, they immigrated to Australia where David built houses and worked with his wife in the garment industry.

In 1981, the family moved to Los Angeles, where they continued their work in real estate and the garment industry.

David was the quintessential Iraqi man whose love for his family knew no bounds. He was a voracious reader with an intelligent mind, a quiet manner and an unexpected sense of humor.

He is survived by his wife Shoham, his children Rafael (Avigail), Sharon (Allan Gomperts), Daniel (Lemor) and Natan (Bracha) as well as many grand-children and extended family.

Baruch Dayan Ha’emes.