Vivian Silver facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Vivian Silver
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| Born | February 2, 1949 Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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| Died | October 7, 2023 (aged 74) Be'eri, Israel
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| Cause of death | Be'eri massacre |
| Burial place | Be'eri |
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| Employer | Negev Institute for Strategies of Peace and Development (1998–2014) |
| Organization | Women Wage Peace |
| Known for | Peace activism |
| Children | 2 |
Vivian Silver was a Canadian-Israeli woman who worked hard for peace and women's rights. She was born on February 2, 1949, in Canada. Sadly, she passed away on October 7, 2023, during an attack on her community in Israel. Vivian was known for her strong belief in helping people live together peacefully.
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Growing Up and Learning
Vivian Silver grew up in Winnipeg, a city in Manitoba, Canada.
In 1968, when she was in college, Vivian visited Israel for the first time. She studied at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. There, she learned about psychology and English literature. Vivian also joined a group called the North American Jewish Students Network. She helped publish articles about how Israelis and Palestinians could get along.
Later, she helped start a student group called the Student Zionist Alliance. This showed her early interest in building connections and understanding. In 1973, Vivian and Shifra Bronznick organized the first big meeting for Jewish women.
Working for Peace and Equality
In 1974, Vivian Silver moved to Israel. She joined a special community called a kibbutz named Gezer. A kibbutz is a community where people live and work together. Vivian became the secretary of her kibbutz. This was a big deal because not many women held such important roles back then.
Vivian cared a lot about women's rights. In 1981, she started a department to help women have equal chances in kibbutz life. She also worked with the Knesset, which is like Israel's parliament. She helped a group that focused on improving women's jobs and money.
Helping Neighbors in Be'eri
In 1990, Vivian moved to Be'eri. This kibbutz was very close to the Gaza border. She moved there with her husband and two sons. Living so close, she got to know the local Bedouin people and those from Gaza.
Vivian became the director of the Negev Institute for Strategies of Peace and Development (NISPED) in 1998. She worked to create programs that helped people in Gaza. For example, she organized job training. She also made sure that construction workers from Gaza were paid fairly.
In 1999, Vivian and Amal Elsana Alh'jooj started a group called the Arab-Jewish Center for Equality, Empowerment and Cooperation. This center worked on projects in Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank. In 2010, Vivian and Amal won an award for their peace work. It was called the Victor J. Goldberg Prize for Peace in the Middle East.
Before the Gaza border closed in 2007, Vivian worked on projects that brought people from Gaza and Israel together. She started a group called Creating Peace. This group helped Palestinian and Israeli artists connect and do business together.
Vivian was also part of B'Tselem, a group that works for human rights. She helped organize tours near the Gaza border. These tours showed people the challenges faced by those living in Gaza.
Women Wage Peace
Vivian officially retired in 2014. After she retired, and after a conflict in Gaza that year, Vivian helped start a new group. It was called Women Wage Peace. This group brings together women of different faiths who want peace.
Vivian also volunteered with groups like Road to Recovery. She helped drive patients from Gaza to Jerusalem for medical treatment. This showed her dedication to helping people in need.
Just a few days before she passed away, on October 4, 2023, Vivian helped organize a big peace rally. About 1,500 Israeli and Palestinian women came together in Jerusalem to call for peace.
Disappearance and Passing
On October 7, 2023, during attacks in Israel, Vivian Silver was at her home in Be'eri. She spoke to her sister on the phone and sent messages to friends. She told them she heard attackers outside her home.
When help arrived, Vivian's home was found burned. But her body was not found right away. So, people thought she might have been taken away. Her family and friends created a Facebook page to try and find her. They asked for help from the Red Cross and the Canadian government.
Sadly, Vivian's remains were found in Be'eri five weeks after the attack. On November 13, 2023, it was confirmed that she had passed away.
Many people shared tributes to Vivian after her death. Groups like B'Tselem and Women Wage Peace honored her. Important people like Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also spoke about her. They all remembered her dedication to peace.
Vivian's funeral was held on November 16 at the kibbutz of Gezer. This was the community where she had lived for many years. About 1,500 people came to say goodbye. She was buried in Be'eri in a private service.
Recognition
In 2011, a newspaper called Haaretz named Vivian Silver as one of the "10 Most Influential Anglo Immigrants" to Israel. This means she was seen as one of the most important English-speaking people who moved to Israel.
Personal Life
Vivian Silver was Jewish. She had two sons and four grandchildren, who she loved very much.
Images for kids
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Vivian Silver, a dedicated peace activist.
