I met Tammy about 10 years ago. I knew her mother, Aviva, from our childhood, as she was born on our kibbutz. When the family moved to the United States, we kept in touch mostly in letters and sporadic telephone calls. One day, ten tears ago, Aviva arrived at Yad Mordechai together with her daughter Tammy. She was a quiet young woman with beautiful large eyes. Aviva tells me that her daughter is comung back to Israel and is looking for work. Tammy told me about the extensive experience in education, her being a teacher of disadvantaged children at Harlem, her Yoga teaching in New York. Aviva added that Tammy had started classes of Yoga in Sderot while it was being bombarded on a daily basis. Tammy traveled there once a week all the way from Jaffa. Actually, most of the details were given by Aviva, since Tammy did not like to tell about herself in order to not sound boastful. I suggested that Tammy should come to our Kibbutz on the same day she drives to Sderot and start a Yoga class for women. Slowly, more women joined the class. Tammy became more open with us. She brought some music to play during some of the exercises and taught us to finish each class with her favorite song – The sun will rise again.”
I remember one story from the days of bombardments from Gaza. We sit on our mats and stretch our hands. Tammy asks us to remain in this position for a while and suddenly the alarm RED ALERT, RED ALERT goes on. We, the kibbutz ladies, are so used to these alarms, we don’t bother to run to the secure room, but Tammy was ready to jump. When she saw that we were not moving, she stayed put. Later she told me: I am overwhelmed by your courage. I will remember this all my life.
After the class Tammy used to come for supper with me and my husband Uri. We talked and we laughed, and there was an air of camaraderie. She used to drive back to Tel Aviv at a late hour. Finally she accepted a full time position at Naamat High School Ha-Sharon.
My husband and I loved her very much. I saw her as another daughter that visits once a week. We missed her visits. When I heard about her illness I was shocked. I knew what it meant and the bad prognosis. My heart is broken. Every day I mourn for beautiful, pleasant, wise and kind Tammy, who brought only goodness to everyone who knew her.
Nurit Livneh
Yad Mordechai
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Like many others sharing their memories, Tammy and I crossed paths through music.
I met her studying traditional Shona Mbira music of Zimbabwe, and we used to hang and play from time to time.
Although we hadn’t spoken in some years, the friendship remained and I am fortunate to have known her.
Sending loving thoughts and compassion to her family, and celebrating her memory.
Markus Schwartz.
Eulogies
I am heartbroken. Tammy, you and I shared a birthday, and a passion for music and education and theatre and cats. I always loved your wit and willingness. My memories of our times together, doing ed theatre, sharing teaching tales, playing drums, traveling to Arizona and hiking the Anasazi ruins…
are indelible.
Rest well my birthday sister.
Laurellie Jacobs Martinez.
sending my love from Minnesota. Tammy was my childhood friend and much loved. May her lessons and teaching be passed on by her students and friends! So grateful to learn she was an admired teacher.
Nitza Schear
I am so saddened to hear this news and mourn with you.
I had no idea Tammy was ill, in face I still don’t know what caused her death.
It wasn’t until I was on Facebook that I learned of Tammy’s passing. I was shocked!
as you know, Tammy and we saw each other in Israel a few years ago. It was a brief but meaningful catch up and I loved hearing about her life and really admire her. I felt so touched by her work helping children in Sderot and as a teacher, inspiring so many kids. Reading all the beautiful tributes to her on Facebook made me so proud to call her my cousin.
I’m just so upset I didn’t know how ill she was and that we didn’t have more time together.
I grieve with you.
Much love
Marisa Fox-Bevilacqua
