48 | JULY 1 • 2021 

OBITUARIES
OF BLESSED MEMORY

‘H 

ero of Israel,
” a “one-
man space agency” 
and “huge loss for the 
defense establishment” are just 
some of the descriptions of Israel 
Defense Prize laureate 
and rocket scientist Aby 
Har-Even, who was 
injured during riots in 
Acre last month and 
died June 6 at age 84.
His contribution to 
space exploration and 
Israel’s national security 
is unknown to most Israelis, and 
much of his activity will remain 
a mystery.
Har-Even was born in 
Romania and made aliyah with 
his parents in 1950. He studied 
mechanical engineering at the 
Technion, and then later, during 
his military service, did a degree 
in electrical engineering. 
He was involved in procur-
ing advanced weaponry for the 
IDF’s arsenal: defensive weapons 
and anti-aircraft guns. Later, he 
commanded the Hawk missile 
battery, which was deployed to 
protect the Nuclear Research 
Campus, served in the R&D 
department and headed the team 
that reviewed lessons learned 
from the Yom Kippur War.
In 1977, he was awarded the 
Defense Ministry Prize for a 
secret project still prohibited 
from being publicized to this day.
As a civilian, Har-Even filled 
a number of positions at Israel 
Aerospace Industries, was the 
fifth director of Israel’s Space 
Agency and led a team that 
developed Israel’s Shavit satellite 
rocket launcher. In recent years, 
he spent time working on R&D 
at Rafael Advanced Defense 
Systems. 

Due to the confidential nature 
of much of his work, however, 
we are unlikely to ever under-
stand the scope of his contribu-
tions to Israel’s security.
“
After completing the 
development of the Shavit 
satellite launcher, Aby 
began offering consulting 
services to American 
technology companies,
” 
said space analyst Tal 
Inbar. “Later on, he began 
working with Israel’s civil-
ian space agency. Among other 
projects he was involved in was 
the mission with Ilan Ramon, 
Israel’s first astronaut to go to 
space.
”
On the night of May 11, while 
staying at the Efendi Hotel in 
Acre, Har-Even was injured 
when Arab rioters set fire to 
the building. He was brought 
unconscious to Haifa’s Rambam 
Hospital, suffering from serious 
burns and smoke inhalation. On 
June 6, he passed away with his 
family at his side. 
“His greatest contribution 
was his work with Israel’s Space 
Agency, where he focused on 
Israel’s ability to launch satellites,
” 
notes Dr. Igal Patel, former chair-
man of the Israeli Astronomical 
Association. “
Aby helped Israel 
join the international space com-
munity. 
“His second greatest contribu-
tion was to Israel’s security, since 
he was responsible for the devel-
opment of the Shavit launcher, as 
well as all of the reconnaissance 
satellites.
” 
In recent years, Har-Even 
and Patel worked together to 
establish a space center in Israel, 
which Har-Even had agreed to 
chair. 

Israel’s Space 
Pioneer

SIGAL BEN DAVID JERUSALEM POST

Aby 
Har-Even

TIMES OF ISRAEL

AMERICAN 
FRIENDS

the board of

American Friends of Magen 
David Adom 

as well as the organization’s staff

mourn the passing of

Marcia Applebaum

caring philanthropist and dear friend of 

Magen David Adom, Israel’s national EMS 

and blood-services organization.

We offer our condolences to the 

entire Applebaum family. 

We hope they will be comforted by her 

memory and by the knowledge of her lasting 

legacy — the thousands of lives in Israel 

saved by her thoughtful generosity.

Saving lives. It’s in our blood.

Catherine Reed 
Chief Executive Officer

Mark D. Lebow
National Chairman

Richard Zelin 
Director of Strategic Philanthropy
Midwest Region 

Wendy Strip
Development Executive
Greater Detroit Area 

