My mother in law Rina Noy, 90, from Chofit

My mother in law Rina Noy, 90, from Chofit

Female Issues at a glance

Today, the format is a little different. In honor of Women's Day, I chose to host my mother-in-law, Rina Noy. While she is admittedly not an AMRIA client, she is indeed a great inspiration for me.

My name is Rina Noy, 90 years old, a widow and mother of four sons. I also have eleven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. I live in Chofit.

Work

I immigrated to Israel in 1943, during World War II, alone, a nine-year-old girl, an orphan. My mother died when I was three and my father died when I was five. I emigrated from Izmir, along with a group of young boys. We rode on a train for a week until we reached Chaalab, Syria. From there we moved to Beirut. There, people of the Israeli defense were waiting for us. The youngsters in the group were supposed to move to kibbutzes. I, as I was very young, was sent to an institution called Child Abode in Nahariya. The institution and all the caregivers came from Germany and they looked after orphans, and children Holocaust survivors. I was there until the end of World War II, which for me was also the end of school education after eight years. I was intended to continue studying in Wingate Institution, but the Youth Aliyah finally sent me to the Schiller Group. During the War of Independence, I helped our fighters together with the “Kibbutz Girls” organization. In the Schiller Group, I was assigned the education of a group of teenagers from Türkiye. They were 14 and I was 17. Since then and for almost 60 years I have been working in education. Later, I was sent to Kibbutz “Zaid Hills” where I also was an educator. From there, I moved with my husband to settle in Kibbutz “Or HaNer”, a kibbutz that we took part in founding. There as well, I worked in teaching and education. Further on, I taught at the Negev Gate School and then at the Special Education School in Giv’at Chayim. At the same time, I served as a kibbutz secretary and helped with the annual cotton harvest. (Every year I got awarded as the best cotton picker in the entire Negev area.)

Independence, Empowering Your Family

In my youth, I very much believed in the cooperative ideal of the kibbutz and the my three older sons were educated in children's homes in joint education. The common education is enabled and encouraged while the adults work and volunteer, in many areas. Me, as mentioned, I served for many years as a kibbutz secretary, I was involved in the field of swimming (when I was still a swimmer myself), and more. Only after my youngest son was born, I insisted on raising him at home with me, and when he was about two years old we left the kibbutz. In the city, I continued my job as a teacher, but I made sure to get home at noon.

I really like nature and for many years I used to work in the garden. I volunteered and I was socially active. For me my work was a true mission.

What insights did you gain with age?

From the point of view of my age, my biggest insight is to live the day, to enjoy every little thing. I believe that body and soul are one, and if the soul is well, you will overcome the body's pain. Focus on a strong mind and don't lift your hands in despair. I really believe that women are worth more than men. Women are mentally strong and more patient, they know how to handle lots of things at the same time. A man does one thing and already is left with no forces.

Dealing with difficulties

By nature I am a very optimistic person. My life was not simple, I was orphaned at a very young age, and I did not lose optimism. Even if you fall, you will eventually rise again. Life is stronger than everything.