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| Reinhard in Jerusalem, August 2009 © Ellen Tolmie |
I met Reinhard Freiberg soon after joining Unicef in August 1990; he was coordinating several aspects of the World Summit for Children. He remains one of my favourite Unicef people, partly because of his delight in injecting humour wherever possible, leavening many a meeting with quips that quickly deflated anyone verging on pomposity. Here are two vignettes that speak to his kindness and principles.
A year or two after we met, Reinhard introduced me to Joan Liftin, an accomplished photographer/editor, including for Unicef in the 1970s (she died a year ago, see her bio here*). Joan told me how they became friends on a steep winding road in Peru. She was initially cool towards him, unable to separate the clearly German Reinhard from her revulsion at German WWII atrocities. But the winding drive had made her nauseous and they had to stop for her to be sick. As Reinhard leaned over to help her his Israeli passport fell out of his jacket as Joan, between vomit bouts, cried, “You’re Jewish!” That was that.
My last time with Reinhard is sadly apropos to today’s Gaza crisis. It was in Jerusalem in 2009 where, still charming, generous and funny, he lived half the year. The Holocaust was part of his family history; he said he often went to sit at (the memorial) Yad Vashem to honour them. He was also visibly distressed by the endless war against Palestinians, the huge separation wall near his apartment. When he insisted that I see the old city from one of its best vantage points, he put on a white T-shirt bearing a drawing of two peace doves and the Israeli and Palestinian flags.
A gem.
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Link to Liftin obit:
* https://arts.arizona.edu/ccp-photographer-educator-joan-liftin-dies/
It was really good to read Ellen Tolmies account of knowing Reinhard as he was also one of my best Unicef people too....we met in the 70s when he was interviewing me for Unicef and remained friends throughout our remaining years in our organisation . During that time we both held posts in different locations but managed to meet for dinner in a variety of different restaurants around the world in addition to our professional interactions. Reinhard was passionate about Unicef and always sincere with constructive criticism when appropriate and with wonderful wit always on tap. Reinhard was good company! He was as Fouad has mentioned a very erudite man and conversation always flowed smoothly and time disappeared.....there was always laughter and fond memories to recall. I will miss Reinhard but feel privileged to have known him....RIP FRIEND.
ReplyDeleteI am so sad to learn of his passing. I first met Reinhard in Jerusalem, after his retirement. His apartment there was full of art and beauty. We met quite a few times after our initial encounter, and he came to visit us in the Galilee. He was always there with incredible and entertaining stories about his time with UNICEF... A great man. RIP.
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