(Photo: Eddie Dribben at his workshop. Credit: Rebecca
Kowalsky, Images Through
Time.)
Kowalsky, Images Through
Time.)
The Jewish Community of Hebron mourns the loss of Eddie Dribben, who passed
away on Thursday at the age of 85. Eddie was a pioneer in Sde Boker, Hebron and
Kiryat Arba. He helped repopulate historic Jewish locations in Hebron such as the
Avraham Avinu Synagogue, Beit Hadassah, and the Admot Yishai
neighborhood.
away on Thursday at the age of 85. Eddie was a pioneer in Sde Boker, Hebron and
Kiryat Arba. He helped repopulate historic Jewish locations in Hebron such as the
Avraham Avinu Synagogue, Beit Hadassah, and the Admot Yishai
neighborhood.
The mayor of Kiryat Arba, Malachi Levinger declared:
“He was a man of great devotion, who poured life into the industry
of the city of our forefathers, even in the face of daily harassment, and continued his
work even after his son Dov Dribben’s murder nearly 20 years ago.” Eddie was a
legend. We send condolences to his wife Sarah and the rest of his family. May his memory
be blessed.”
of the city of our forefathers, even in the face of daily harassment, and continued his
work even after his son Dov Dribben’s murder nearly 20 years ago.” Eddie was a
legend. We send condolences to his wife Sarah and the rest of his family. May his memory
be blessed.”
The following excerpts from the writings of Dr. Chaim Simons,
another veteran Hebron resident.
another veteran Hebron resident.
The American Cowboy
In the summer of 1969 – I think it was the day before Tisha B’Av – we were
suddenly joined by a man aged about 40 called Eddy Dribben. He had come to Hebron with
his wife… and accompanied by his horse. When he first came to the Memshal [the Israeli
army base where the Hebron residents were sent to live], he was given the nick-name “the
cowboy.” This was because he had lived rather a wild life in America… Eddy was a very
staunch believer in settling the liberated areas and for this reason he had come to
Hebron.
suddenly joined by a man aged about 40 called Eddy Dribben. He had come to Hebron with
his wife… and accompanied by his horse. When he first came to the Memshal [the Israeli
army base where the Hebron residents were sent to live], he was given the nick-name “the
cowboy.” This was because he had lived rather a wild life in America… Eddy was a very
staunch believer in settling the liberated areas and for this reason he had come to
Hebron.
Eddy made valuable contributions to our settlement. He was in charge of guard
duty and he also open the first “factory” – a carpentry shop. To each of these subjects
is devoted a chapter on their own.
duty and he also open the first “factory” – a carpentry shop. To each of these subjects
is devoted a chapter on their own.
For the full text click
here.
here.
Other details about his earlier life in the Negev can be found in the
book Memories
and Reflections: The Life, Work and Observations of an Agricultural and Environmental
Scientist by Daniel Hillel
“Another unusual character who appeared in Sdeh Boqer without prior notice,
just three years after its establishment, was an American soldier named Eddie Dribben…
he had been raised on a cattle ranch in Wyoming. In the early 1950s, he was drafted into
the U. S. military service.
just three years after its establishment, was an American soldier named Eddie Dribben…
he had been raised on a cattle ranch in Wyoming. In the early 1950s, he was drafted into
the U. S. military service.
…his was the first wedding in Sde Boqer, officiating alongside the rabbi were David
and Paula Ben-Gurion. For a couple of months, Eddie made the rounds among the
Bedouin tribes in the northern Negev, selecting and purchasing horses… it seemed that
the cowboy from the prairies of Wyoming and the Bedouins from the savannas of the Negev
shared a spirit…”
For more click
here.
here.
(Photo: Eddie Dribben (center), Michael Elman (left) and Rabbi
Dan Rosenstein (right) at the 2014 Sukkot tour.)
Dan Rosenstein (right) at the 2014 Sukkot tour.)
(Photo: Eddie Dribben (left) at a celebration at the Tomb of
Machpela.)
Machpela.)
Notes:
To arrange a visit to Hebron contact us:
United States contact info:
http://www.hebronfund.org
1760 Ocean Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11230
718-677-6886
info@hebronfund.org
In Israel contact the offices of the Jewish Community of Hebron at:
http://en.hebron.org.il/
02-996-5333
office@hebron.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/hebronofficial
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