Judith Elkan, peacemaker

I met Judy and Geoffrey through a mutual friend when I first came to England 44 years ago. They took us out for lunch and Judy, with a whimsical twinkle in her eye, asked me to guess where her family came from. Syria was not on top of my list for this charming British-Israeli lady, but I fell in love with her as she offered me various clues.

I was delighted when she invited me to visit when I next came to London. It was my first invitation to an English home and how lucky I was to meet the whole family and make friends with Judy, Geoffrey, Naomi, Miriam and Daniel. Judy and I remained friends to her last day.

I told Daniel and Miriam that I’ve learnt so much from Judy, and Daniel asked what that was. The general answer that came to mind is: How to be in the world. How to relate to people of all ages with generosity, total sincerity, and warmth. She became my role model.

Judy was a fantastic listener and gave very wise advice. She had a knack for not only seeing the best in people, but also helping them to see the best in themselves and thereby gain confidence and feel better.

Judy was a peacemaker. Through her therapeutic work, she helped people make peace with themselves. But Judy was also a peacemaker through her life-long dedication to dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians. Through her vision, the UK Friends of the Israeli-Palestinian Bereaved Families Forum (FBFF) was established. She was its founding Chair until her death and showed remarkable tenacity and courage as she steered the organisation through choppy waters.

She earned the admiration and deep love of all who worked with her, for her patience and for always trying to find a way forward. Thanks to her leadership, FBFF raised large sums of money and awareness of the reconciliation work of the Bereaved Families Forum.

Those who were lucky to have Judy in their lives will miss her noble soul, warmth, and her unassuming and enthusiastic approach to the good things in life, like nature, art, cooking, Jewish tradition, poetry, and above all – people.

Personally, I will miss holding her hand. She had a habit of holding your hand for a long time, allowing her loving kindness and steadfast companionship to flow from her to you, her fortunate friend.

Chani Smith

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Bereaved Families Forum under attack

The Bereaved Families Forum is being threatened with tough new restrictions on its activities by Israel’s recently-elected coalition government. The most extreme anti-Palestinian factions in the Cabinet are planning to curtail the organisation’s access to high schools, where bereaved Israeli and Palestinian families have for years been allowed to meet groups of teenagers before they are called up for army service.
Judith Elkan’s life celebrated with classical and Middle Eastern music

Judith Elkan’s friends and FBFF supporters met at the New North London Synagogue on 19th June for a concert in her memory. The programme, planned to reflect Judith's musical tastes, included works by Mozart and Tchaikovsky as well as Israeli and Arabic songs.
Judith Elkan, peacemaker

Chani Smith, former FBFF Secretary, pays tribute to Judith Elkan who died aged 92 on Thursday 24th February
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An Israeli and a Palestinian, who each lost a sister, spoke online to hundreds of FBFF supporters about advancing reconciliation between their communities.

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History of the Forum

The origins of the Bereaved Families Forum.
The Team

Our patrons are a group of individuals, all distinguished in their own spheres, who have agreed to lend their support and endorsement to FBFF. The Trustees are a group of FBFF supporters who oversee the management of the charity and guarantee its adherence to the highest legal and ethical standards. The Steering Committee are enthusiastic volunteers who undertake the planning and execution of our promotional and fundraising activities.
The Bereaved Families’ Forum

The FBFF was set up to support the Bereaved Families Forum (PCFF), a joint Israeli/Palestinian organisation of families who have lost a close family member to the conflict. Instead of seeking revenge, they have chosen the path of reconciliation.
Judith Elkan, peacemaker

Chani Smith, former FBFF Secretary, pays tribute to Judith Elkan who died aged 92 on Thursday 24th February
What FBFF does

FBFF is a UK charity that supports the work of the Bereaved Families Forum – sometimes known as the Parents Circle-Families Forum (PCFF). We raise funds to support bridge-building activities between the communities in Israel/Palestine. We also work to promote their activities and spread information about them more widely in the UK.
Talking peace in person

‘I didn’t think about revenge. If you consider violence you are a victim again. I decided not to be a victim.’ – Bassam Aramin.
Bereaved Families Forum under attack

The Bereaved Families Forum is being threatened with tough new restrictions on its activities by Israel’s recently-elected coalition government. The most extreme anti-Palestinian factions in the Cabinet are planning to curtail the organisation’s access to high schools, where bereaved Israeli and Palestinian families have for years been allowed to meet groups of teenagers before they are called up for army service.
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Judith Elkan’s life celebrated with classical and Middle Eastern music

Judith Elkan’s friends and FBFF supporters met at the New North London Synagogue on 19th June for a concert in her memory. The programme, planned to reflect Judith's musical tastes, included works by Mozart and Tchaikovsky as well as Israeli and Arabic songs.