Vivienne's Story

Vivienne and Norman Freedman celebrating an anniversary in London, 1983

If you have not wandered the present-day streets of Zichron Yaakov, you have not lived. If, however, you do find yourself in Zichron Ya'akov walking up the promenade (pedestrianized HaMeyasdim), on a hot summer's day you might be beginning to flag. You may have already visited the First Aliyah Museum, the Ohel Ya'akov Synagogue, named in memory of the philanthropist, Baron Edmond de Rothschild's father, the Sabil – the first communal water fountain and read the stories of the founding families - Aaronsohn, Arisohn, Chamiletski and Sternberg on the plaques of the walls of their preserved houses. Alternatively, you might just need a rest after browsing the multitude of small jewellery and clothing boutiques. Whatever, you could do worse than stop and rest on the bench outside Bet Aaronsohn on HaMeyasdim.

When guiding in Zichron, before entering the museum which forms the house of the Aaronsohn family, I always stop at this bench and sit my tourists down in the shade of the overhanging olive tree – a lovely quiet spot just far enough from the madding crowd to enjoy some peace and quiet. There I tell the amazing story of the Aaronsohn family – of Aaron, the agronomist, and his sister, Sara, and their group of friends who comprised the Nili spies, of their spying activities against the Ottoman Turks for the British and their untimely end … but I digress.

After I tell the story of Aaron and his exploits, I draw my tourists' attention to the plaque on the back of the bench which reads "Sit here a 'wee' while and smile – Vivienne Freedman 1947 – 2018". For the uninitiated "wee", in Scotland, means small or short.

So, what is the story behind this bench and who is Vivienne Freedman?

Vivienne Freedman nee Waxman grew up in my hometown of Glasgow, Scotland, where like most Jewish youth of her day she was a keen member of the Zionist youth organization, Habonim. Like so many of her generation, she grew up through the Movement with romantic ideals of Israel, Israeli singing and dancing and harbored a desire to make a pioneering Aliyah. But as the old Yiddish saying goes "man proposes but God disposes".

Along came Norman Freedman, an accountant from London, and swept Vivienne off her feet. They married and he whisked her off to London suburbia, where she learnt to put all thoughts of Aliyah to the back of her mind.

Prior to her marriage, Vivienne worked for the Medical Research Council in Glasgow and on moving to London she transferred to the Imperial Cancer Research Fund as a research scientist.

Vivienne and Norman settled down, raised a family of three - Amanda, Ryan and Dawn. At the same time, Vivienne continued to work for the Imperial Research Fund, which later changed its name to Cancer Research UK, for some twenty-seven years. She was part of a team that published papers in medical journals, their work culminating in the foundation of drugs subsequently used in cancer treatment. In her spare time, she volunteered for the League of Jewish Women, supporting senior citizens and adults with learning difficulties.

Finally in May 2002, when Norman retired, Vivienne was able to fulfil her lifelong ambition and they made Aliyah. Initially they lived in Caesarea, where they started to carve out a new life. Rather ironically, having followed a career as a cancer research scientist for some thirty-one years, only a month after making Aliyah, Vivienne was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Norman and Vivienne subsequently moved to Zichron Yaakov, a town she loved. They set up home on HaMeyasdim, opposite Bet Aaronsohn, and could be found walking up and down the promenade or in one of the many coffee houses, always with a smile on her face.

Vivienne bravely fought her cancer for sixteen years before passing in 2018, survived by her husband Norman, her three children and seven grandchildren. She was buried in the famous local cemetery surrounded by the town's founders.

On her death, the family wanted to establish a meaningful memorial. Norman approached the City Council, who agreed to his suggestion of erecting a bench on the promenade, outside Bet Aaronsohn, with a plaque. This was the first time the City Council had consented to such a proposal.

So, as the plaque says, if you are walking up HaMeyasdim, sit there a 'wee' while and smile – in honor of my Aunt Vivienne!