Bracha Qafih also known as Bracha Kapach (Hebrew: ברכה קאפח; 1922 – 26 November 2013) was an Israeli rabbanit, wife of Rabbi Yosef Qafih, who was awarded the Israel Prize for her charitable work.[1]

Bracha Qafih
Bracha Kapach
Born1922
Yemen
DiedNovember 23, 2013
Israel
NationalityYemenite-Israeli
Other namesBracha Kapach
OccupationRabbanit
Known forPhilanthropy and Tzedakah

Early life edit

Qafih was born in Yemen. She was married to her first cousin, Yosef Kapach, at the age of eleven.[2] Seven years later, they immigrated to Palestine with their three children, one of whom died on the way. Another son, Arieh, was born in Palestine.[1]

Social work edit

Qafih’s first enterprise in the country was running an embroidery workshop employing 50 Yemenite women. For over half a century, she organized holiday food packages for the needy of Jerusalem. The food was packaged by student volunteers and distributed from her home in Nahlaot.[1] Qafih also collected old wedding gowns to loan to brides from poor families.[3]

Awards and recognition edit

In 1999, Kapach was awarded the Israel Prize for her special contributions to society and the State of Israel.[4] Kapach and her husband are the only married couple to have both won the Israel Prize.[5]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c A rising star, The Jerusalem Post Archived 2013-12-03 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ Rebbetzin aids Jerusalem poor
  3. ^ Teaching Jewish Life Cycle: Traditions and Activities, Barbara Binder Kadden, Bruce Kadden
  4. ^ "Israel Prize Official Site - Recipients in 1999 (in Hebrew)".
  5. ^ Rebbetzin aids Jerusalem poor Archived 2012-06-03 at the Wayback Machine