Avraham Gafni

Avraham Gafni is regarded as the man who breathed new life into the association. Membership grew, and the annual gatherings became a central cultural event and a social and family reunion for the community.

Several historic projects were carried out during his term:

• In 2009 — the erection of the “Prayer” monument, the work of the sculptor Yael Artzi. This was a bold initiative that involved a long struggle with the Mezritch municipality, ending with the sculpture being installed as a monumental commemorative site in the town square, known as the Rynek.
• The production of the play “Mezritch” — on Gafni’s initiative, after he received a tattered manuscript given to him by Leib Goldenberg. Gafni approached Efraim Sidon and Itzik Weingarten, who wrote, adapted and directed it into a striking stage production.
• The “Mezritsh Tribune”, the association’s newspaper that first appeared back in Mezritch, resumed publication.
• A DVD was produced of the film “Little America” — the film by Efraim Sidon and Micha Friedman.
• The production of the book “The Mezritchers — Labourers and Revolutionaries” — a commemorative album documenting the families who lived, worked and created in the great community that once was.
• The founding of the website — established for the first time, laying the groundwork for the community’s digital commemoration.