Me and My Family

 I (Elinoa Ziona Raanan) was born on April 5th 1998 in Jerusalem. I go to Ulpenat Tzviah in Herzilia. This is my blog. I really enjoyed learning all about my family history and where i came from. This project gave me an opportunity to learn and develope a higher level of respect for all my family. I got to hear the most amazing stories from the most amazing people that im proud to be related to. The research about my family and hearing all they have accomplished just gives me more determantion to do things i can be proud of, things i'll be able to tell my children and grandchildren and please g-d great grandchildren. This project has brought to light the importance of family and knowing where you came from. I hope to go into media/journalism/or something art related when i grow up. I hope to serve my county as best as i can, either by going into the army of doing sherut leumi. Most of all i hope to do something i can be proud of. I hope that whoever is reading this blog has enjoyed learning about my family as much as i did.

My father James Robert Raanan was born on december 7th 1973 in Leeds in England. My Dad graduated from High School and went to Study Law in Manchester University. He now works at IDT as an advocate. He met my Mum (Sarah Raanan [Levy]) in 1994, got married in 1996 and maid alyia in 1997. In 2006 our whole family moved to NJ, America for 3 years. When we moved back we setteled down in Raanana. My Dad always does everything he can to support us, he commutes to America atleast once a month and we all love and appriecate evrything he does for us. שיזכה לחיים ארוכים

My Mother Sarah Rachel Raanan (levy) was born on December 17th 1974 in London England. When she graduated from High School she went to study Psychology in Manchester University. When we were living in America she decided she wanted to take on Photography and became a photographer in 2007. My Mum continues her work here (in Raanana) and somehow still has time to take care of me my brother and my sister. She is one of the biggest female role models in my life and we all love her very much. שתזכה לחיים ארוכים

My Brother Yoav Shlomo Raanan was born on June 30th 2000 in Jerusalem. Yoav goes to Noam School in Kfar Batya and Will be going to Yeshivat Bnei Akiva next year. Yoav says he would like to go into Scinece when he grows up.

My sister Millie (Amelia [she was named after our Great Grandmother]) Leah Raanan was born on March 26th 2005 in Tel Aviv. She is in keeta aleph at Noam School in Kfar Batya. Millie wants to be an Astronaut when she grows up.

My Mum and Dad at their wedding

Millie(left) Yoav(middle) and me (right)

my family. My mum(left) Me and My Brother Yoav (in the middle), Millie (on my lap) and my Dad(right)

Gretel Levy

My Great Grandmother Gretel levy was born in 1914 in Hagen Germany. When Hitler began gaining power her parents sent her to england (probably knowing she would be safe there). Grandma Gretel worked as a nanny.She met my great grandfather (Joseph Levy) while she was in England and they got married in 1940 and moved to London.

Joseph Levy

My Great Grandfather Joseph Levy(ז"ל) was born in 1899 in Glasgow, Scotland. He was one of eight children. His whole family moved form Lithuania to Scotland in 1890.

In his early years after finishing school he worked in a shipyard on the River Clyde, on the construction of a famous ship called HMS (Her Majesty Ship). Later on in Grandpa Joseph's life he worked for a few factories making travel bags, school satchels, rucksacks and things of that sort.

My Grandpa Joseph was a keen zionist and raised money for Israel for many years. He was mostly involve in rasing money for a place called "kfar Blum" where trees where planted in his name.

an article written about Grandpa Joseph

Jack Moritz Levy

My Grandpa Jack Levy was born in Glasgow, Scotland on June 12th 1944 (which was "D day"-the day Britian and America invaded France to liberate them and Europe from the Nazis). A few years later him and his family moved to Hampstead.

Grandpa Jack went to an all boys school called "Hasmonean", he was a good student. When he went to college he did advanced level studies in European History. Grandpa Jack took two law exams, an intermediate and a final. He bacame a qualified lawyer in 1969.

In 1962 Grandpa Jack became a Trainee Lawyer in the West End of London. He worked there for six years. Grandpa Jack tells me that he has a passion for his work, He could not imagine doing anything else.

Grandpa Jack now lives in London with his cat Saphire.He has five Grandchildren, Me, Yoav (my Brother), Millie (my Sister) and my cousines Charlotte and Jessica. שיזכה לחיים ארוכים

Grandpa Jack and My Mother Sarah

Grandpa Jack

Linda Deborah Levy (Kandler)

My Grandma Linda Deborah  Levy (Savta) was born on November 13th 1948 in Hamsterd London on Avenue Road. Savta grew up in Edgware, Middlesex, England. She attended Edgware Primary and Edgware Comprehensive (secondry school). Savta was a bit naughty and was mostly involved in sports. Her best subjects were History and English.

Savta grew up with her two brothers Geoffrey, who was older than her, and Jonathan who was younger. She used to babysit him, take him on walks and help take care of Jonathan.

Savta went to Barnet College to study social studies and BA in education at The University of North London. She was a secretary and then became a teacher at Naima Jewish Prep School. When she made aliya in February 2000 she gave private english lessons to English speakers(me included).

Savta now has five Grandchildren, Me, Yoav (my Brother), Millie (my Sister) and my cousins Charlotte and Jessica. She now lives in Rehovot and visits us in Raanana every Tuesday. We love her very much and she is one of the most impotant role models in my life. שתזכה לחיים ארוכים

Savta, my Mum and Her Brother(my Uncle) Daniel

My Savta

Alma Helen Kandler (Perkoff)

My Great Grandma Alma was born on March 9th 1924 in London. She grew up with her two Brothers. The oldest was called Bernard (Bert) and Henry. She also had an older Sister(Miriam) who died of melengitus when she was 12 (my Grandma never knew her, she passed away before she was born).

Grandma Alma's Parents, Joseph and Becky Perkoff owned a pub in Whitechapel in the East End of London called the Nag's Head. Joseph came to England from Russia with his brother Wolfe.  They did not speak the language, only speaking Yiddish.  Joseph became a furrier and learned the trade and also English.  He met Becky an English girl and married her when she was only 18.  They made a great success of the pub with Becky doing the catering.

Grandma Alma won a scholarship to Spiatl Square. She was a very good student.  She was paticularly good at French and English.  She grew up in The East End and then the family moved to Wembley Park in North London.  Grandma Alma had a priviledged upbringing as her parents made a good living from the pub.

Grandma Alma met my Grandpa during World War II and got married on October 22nd 1944.
They had three children together, Geoffrey(aka Gershon), Linda (my Grandmother) and Jonathan (aka Jono).

Grandma Alma was by far the best cook ever. She used to make pastries, pies and delicious meals.
Everyone raved about how delicious her food was. Grandma Alma and my Grandpa were the perfect team.  Grandpa invited and Grandma cooked, if it had been left the other way round there would have been awful food and no guests (as when she was younger she was very shy).

Grandma Alma has fourteen Grandchildren and thirtyfive Great Grandchildren.

Grandma Alma

Grandma Alma and Grandpa Shlomo at thier wedding

Solomon Donald Kandler

My Great Granfather Solomon Kandler (otherwise known by his family as Shlomo [Zalman] Kandler) was born on July 26th 1918 in the East end of London. Grandpa Shlomo grew up on the same street(the street was call "The Highway") as his Grandparents, Uncles and Aunts. He was one of ten, six sisters and 3 other brothers(Rebecca, Esther, Millie, Ethel, Yetta, Sylvia, Reubin, Jacob and Ephriam). Grandpa Shlomo attended "The Highway" and St. George's - in - the - East Central Schools. His Hebrew education at the Shadwell Talmud Torah and Yeshivat Etz Chaim. At the age of 19 he founded the Talmud Torah Aid Commity.

His Father Gershon made clothes in a workshop in the back yard of the house. He was the President of St. George's and Shawell Talmud Torah.His Mother Pessel took over the clothes manufacturing factory when her husband (Gershon) passed away. The company was called P Kandler.  The whole family moved to Edgware before the war.

Grandpa Shlomo took part in the battle of Cable Street on October 4th 1936. He was put in jail over night (but not charged for anything). All the Anti-facist protesters prevented Oswald Mosely and his black shirts from marching in the East End of London.

Grandpa Shlomo was a Rifleman in World War II. He together with my Great Great Uncle Henry (my Great Grandma Alma's Brother) Joined the Territorial Army before the start of WWII. They went to war together and fought together, Grandpa Shlomo and Uncle Henry(Perkoff) were captured in Lybia. They were  in an Italian prisoner of war camp for two years and eight months. The Nazis' began to deport hundreds of prisinors, about 600 went from the camp they were in. Grandpa and Uncle Henry were going to be in the next batched, they escaped and for thirty five day they walked and hid in the mountains until they arrived in the 5th army lines(where the British were).

Grandpa Shlomo won 5 medals during the war. Whenever anyone asked him what he did to deserve them he always made up a different silly story. This proves what a truly modest, brave and wonderful man he was. All the stories I hear about his incredible, funny and loving personality only make me wish I could have met him.

this is a letter Reuben (Grandpa Shlomo's Brother) wrote to his family during the war

this is an atricle written about Grandpa Shlomo, Henry and another soldier who was captured

 with them in libya.

Grandpa shlomo (left) and Henry (right)

this is a "MIA" letter, at the time Grandpa Shlomo's family got this letter, they had no idea if he was even alive.

the cable street battle (Grandpa shlomo is at the front)

Grandpa Shlomo

 

 

 

 

 

My Grandfather Stuart Williamson

My Grandfather Stuart Alexander Williamson (Grandpa Stuart) was born on June 12, 1947, at 1 King Lane, Leeds, England.

His parents are David Williamson (z"l) and Phyllis Williamson (שתזכה לחיים טובים). He has one sister, Janet, who now lives in Wales.

Grandpa Stuart went to Moortown County Primary School, and Leeds Grammar secondry school.
Apart from bieng the naughtiest missbehaved student at school he was mostly involved in sports,such as running, rugby, and cricket. My Grandpa was incredibly smart but also an incredibly lazy student so he just barely passed his exams.As well as bieng poorly behaved at school he was also badly behaved at home. My Grandpa told me he even cut of his sister Janet's plait off.

When My Grandpa Graduated high school he went to accountancy college for short courses before exams.He them became and accountent and is still working today.

He now live in London, England. He has 5 Grandchildren; Me, Yoav (my brother), Millie (my Sister),
Eva (my cousine), and Benjamin(my cousine).

Grandpa Stuart and I

 

My Great Grandmother Phyllis Williamson (Frazer)

My Great Grandmother Phyllis (Grandma Phyllis) was born on June 23rd, 1921 in Leeds, England.

Grandma Phyllis’ father Benyamin ben Dov was born in Sheffield England, lived in Gateshead then came to Leeds and married my Grandma Phyllis' mother Sarah Leah bat Yona (hacohen). Sarah Leah was born in St Petersburg, Russia in 1900 and came to England when she was two. Benyamin was a very important person in the Leeds community and was a Baal Tzedakah and his shul made him a Chaver so his name became Hachover Benyanim- my grandfather (Stuart) loved him very much but he died just before his Barmitzvah. Benyamin's family name was Frazer and Sarah’s was Cohen.

Grandma Phyllis was (and is) very clever at school, and went to Leeds University, to study social sciences. This was very rare for a woman in those times. She then went on to work at her family's factory (B Frazer and Co) she worked in the office as a bookkeeper and wages clerk.

She has two Grandchildren James (my Father), Hannah (my Aunt) and five Great Grandchildren; Me,Yoav(my brother), Millie(my sister) and my cousines Eva and Benjamin Rothscild. We love her very much and she is one of the most impotant role models in my life שתזכה לחיים ארוכים .

My Great Grandfather David Williamson

My Great Grandfather David (Grandpa David) was born on 1915. Grandpa David grew up in Leeds, England. He went to Lovell Road School (in Leeds).
 
His father Alexander ben Yisrael lived in Kiev in the Ukraine and came to England (as Williamson) in 1902 (we think the original family name was Klitsner). He died before my Grandpa (Grandpa Stuart) was born. His mother Hannah bat Mordechai (her family name was Fritz/Freeman) was born in Poland. They already had 2 girls when they came to England and then had 3 more girls and my Great Grandpa David. 

Grandpa David was a seargent in the British Army during World War II from 1939-1945. His regiment was the royal corps of signals,he drove a tank ,was at the famous battle of El Alamien in North Africa and was in the Italian Campaign.

Grandpa David owned and ran a factory for the manufacture of women clothing called "B Frazer and Co. The company was started by Grandma Phyllis's Father. My Grandma's Father eventually passed on the company to my Grandpa David.

Grandpa David met my Grandma Phyllis in 1945, got married on April 3rd 1946 and were married for 61 years. They had two children, Stuart (my Grandfather) and Janet (my Great Aunt).

 According to my Father (James Raanan) Grandpa David was an amazing man and Grandfather, and from what i remember i would have to agree. When my Father was a little boy he used to take him and his sister to feed the ducks. He would cut סכך for them every succot, and he would take my dad to work on his painting jobs (something he did after he had retired).

Grandpa David with me and Yoav

My Great Grandmother Joyce Gould (Cross)

My Great Grandmother Joyce Gould (ז"ל) was born on November 14th 1927
in Brooklyn , NY. She moved around alot beacause of her father's job. My Great Grandmother
and her parents Joseph and Rebecca Cross  lived in many places such as Birmingham, Manchester,
Blackpool, and Leeds. Her Uncle who was an opticiant that  lived in Leeds so they moved in with him.
My Great Grandmother worked as a secretary and personal assistant in J's Furniture Store and
Worked as a personal assitant for a university professor. During the Second World War she was a young girl, and since she lived in a city, she was evacuated to live with a family in the countryside.

Granpa Julian and Grandma Joyce

Grandma Joyce's parents Josheph and Rebecca Cross

My Great Grandfather Julian Gould

My Great Grandfather Julian Gould (Grandpa Julian) was born on October 6th 1924, in
Leeds (Ethel Terris), England. He grew up in goverment housing in the Seacroft district of Leeds.
He was an only child to his parents Maurice Gould and Amelia (Millie) Tailor.
He attended Lovell Road School, where he was a well renowned cricketer (a little less well renowned in his academic pursuits). When he graduated high school, at the age of 14, and started working in the garment industry, as an apprentice tailor. Over the years he climbed higher and higher and became the Production Manager of a highly reputable clothing factory, Ben Simons. He was well known (in Leeds) for his magnificent suits. He also qualified as a Chiropodist (foot doctor) but didn't care for it
and went back to being a tailor.

During World War II Grandpa Julian was conscripted to serve in the British Army. He was an infantryman, and was deployed to fight against the Nazis in Europe. During the war years, Grandpa Julian fought in Holland, France, Germany, and Poland, and was part of the force that liberated the Dutch capital, the Hague.  While serving in the army, he was shot in his left leg. One of the chilling memories he recalls from these times, was visiting the concentration camp Bergen Belsen, shortly after that camp was liberated. This was an unusual experience for anybody, especially a Jewish soldier. When I asked him about serving in the British army, he told me that that he felt an obligation and an obvious responsibilty to fight for the Jews.

While on leave from the army, he met his sweetheart, and wife (of 62 years), (Rose) Joyce Gould (ז"ל) (Grandma Joyce), at a dance in the Mecca Ballroom in Leeds. Grandpa Julian was immediately struck by this beautiful girl, and approached her -- at which point Grandma Joyce remarked "there are a lot of drips in here tonight aren't there"--(I'm told that Grandpa looked pretty scruffy that night, in his dirty uniform, and missing a front tooth). Anyway--despite being brushed off the first time--Grandpa Julian did not give in easily--and they began dating (or courting as he would say), and eventually married in 1947 just after the war. They had 2 children, Dianne (my father's mother) and Lawrence (Larry). Grandpa Julian and Grandma Joyce were known as a very handsome couple, and in pictures from those times, people say they looked like film stars.

Apart from his family, Grandpa Julian's first love, was and is, Leeds Rugby League Football Club. Until fairly recently Grandpa Julian never missed a home game, and would take my father and his cousin Josh, to a match every Sunday. My father says that this is why I was called "Eli"noa afer the Leeds Rugby player "El"lery Hanley (my mother does not agree). On their way to matches, Grandpa Julian would always play tracks from the 50's and 60's singer Dean Martin--these were the bed time lullabies for me and my siblings--I think we are the only Israeli kids that know these songs.

Today Grandpa Julian, still lives in his beloved Leeds. He is extremly active and fit for a man of his age--playing bridge, swimming, and participating in a weekly debating society. He has 5 grandchildren, and, so far, 5 great-grandchildren.  שיזכה לחיים ארוכים

Grandpa Julian

Grandpa Julian and I

Grandpa Julian and Grandma Joyce with Grandpa Julian's parents