In their charming new home in Hampstead, on the evening of 11 Feb 2015, Nitza & Robin Spiro played host to the remarkable Esther Lever, 82, who told the large audience the awe-inspiring story of her life over the past 30 years, devoted to helping Jews throughout the world, as related in her book The Ingathering of Israel [Sovereign Books, 2012].
Esther (her adopted name), a gentile, has been a Christian since youth. At the age of 51, after her husband died, she felt 'called" to devote her life to aiding Jews with their welfare needs and in making Aliyah. At the outset of her presentation she emphasised the non-evangelical nature of her work, that it has not involved any wish or effort to convert Jews or to preach gospel but, rather, has been the expression of an inner calling to support Jewish people in need and those wishing to make Aliyah to Israel.
She has travelled to, discovered, and aided Jews 'in all six corners of the globe.' She displayed a large world map, pointing out the far-flung locations where she has operated.
As to how she chose what specifically to do, she explained that each of her missions was launched after experiencing an inner voice that directed her efforts, and also fueled her flair for overcoming the numerous obstacles, often seemingly insurmountable, that she encountered.
Esther described a few of her fascinating exploits, which can be read about in her book, with a sequel in the works. On one occasion, having discovered hundreds of isolated Jews in a remote region of Asia, she brought them a planeload of aid, and returned with the plane full of Jews making Aliyah.
Financing was always a problem, but somehow, with Heaven's help, was resolved, and in surprising and unexpected ways. She spoke of the miraculous confluence of circumstances that saved many-a day, and of the generosity of spirit exhibited by people she came across.
She has been a frequent visitor to Israel, and even lived there for several years, helping Jews after their Aliyah and learning to speak Hebrew. It was in maintaining her own Hebrew back in the UK that she met and was befriended by Nitza, as a student in her renowned classes.
Esther's talk was all-the-more impactful due to the unpretentious way in which she described her challenging exploits and adventures, at times undertaken against advice or pursued under adverse conditions yet sustained and ultimately made successful by dint of her simple, unremitting faith and prayer, by conviction in the necessity and rightness of her mission, and by sheer determination to achieve her goal.
Esther's strength of character, resourcefulness, implacable courage, irrepressible sense of adventure and youthful spirit, and her total trust in Heaven's hand, all made a strong impression on the audience, who listened with rapt attention for well over an hour as she talked.
The event took place amid the Spiro ambience: a tasteful, softly-lit, colourful living room adorned with Robin's penetrating portraits of family and friends, and accompanied by an array of delicious refreshments and the warm hospitality of our hosts. This, and the down-to-earth delivery of Esther's talk, almost belied the stories of her amazing outreach to Jews in the remotest of regions and starkest of circumstances. She currently serves as Thames Regional Representative for Ebenezer Operation Exodus, an Aliyah support organisation.
A memorable, inspiring evening. Well done and thank you, Nitza and Robin!
The talk (most of it) was recorded on video and will be made available on the Spiro Ark website in the near future.
DAVID COHEN
Oral Historian
oral.history@yahoo.com
