Eliachar, Menache

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ELIACHAR, MENACHE

ELIACHAR, MENACHE (1901–?), prominent Jerusalem businessman and communal worker. Eliachar, a scion of the distinguished Jerusalem family of that name, was born in the Old City of Jerusalem, the son of Isaac Eliachar, and on the death of his father in 1933 succeeded him as vice president of the Jerusalem Chamber of Commerce, becoming president in 1946, holding the position for more than 30 years. Eliachar played a prominent role in the industrial and commercial development of Jerusalem and represented Israel in the International Chamber of Commerce where he was successful in countering the Arab Boycott.

From an early age he took part in communal activity and was among the founders of the Binyanei ha-Ummah (Jerusalem Convention Center) and of the Economic Club of Jerusalem. He was instrumental in reclaiming thousands of dunams of land in Jerusalem from Arab owners which he placed at the disposal of the community, among them the land on which the Hebrew University and the Israel Museum stand.

On the occasion of his 75th birthday the title of Yakir Yerushalayim was conferred upon him and the school in the Givat Mordechai neighborhood was named in his honor.