UIA, Montefiore lose a mensch

TRIBUTES were paid this week to community stalwart Archie Hendler (pictured) who died aged 80 on Sunday.

The businessman, who was born in South Africa and immigrated to Australia in 1983, was the driving force behind several projects in Israel. He was also a governor of United Israel Appeal (UIA) and Montefiore Home. He died of complications linked to Parkinson’s disease.

The father of three sons helped with many UIA projects and was chairman of Project Renewal, which helped underprivileged children, for more than a decade.

South Head and District Synagogue’s Rabbi Benzion Milecki spoke warmly about his friend at the Chevra Kadisha on Monday.

“There are highly successful businessmen and there are honourable people, but rarely are these two traits combined,” Rabbi Milecki said. “In Archie they were. He was a true gentleman, a mensch.”

UIA NSW president and close friend Bruce Fink said the entire organisation was deeply saddened when they heard the news.

“Archie was a legend in the true sense, a very honourable man and a longstanding supporter of the UIA and the State of Israel,” Fink said. “We were privileged to have known and worked with him.”

Hendler was also a life governor at the Montefiore Home, where he spent the last two years of his life.

“We are grateful for his years of support and were very glad to be able to look after him at Montefiore,” president David Freeman said.

He is survived by his wife Yetta, three sons David, Michael and Gary and nine grandchildren.

JOSHUA LEVI