Henry Briggs

Long Life and good health to all of Henry Briggs’ family.
What a wonderful closure to his life with all his family around him and with the launch of his book.
May his memory be a strength to you all.

Nonny Gordon (nee Ochert)

Elaine and I express our most sincere condolences to you, Miriam and family. Henry and you have raised a wonderful family and it is a blessing to have them all present at the end. Henry's early life parallels my cousin's life in Krakow, being saved by Righteous Gentiles and leading to a very happy existence in a free land afterward. I remember Henry well at the many camps we attended and our brief visits to Israel. We wish you all a long life.

Harry & Elaine Stuart

It is with great heartache that I learned the passing of Henry.
May he R.I.P. I had to read the message a few times on my IPhone as I could not believe what I was reading.
I still can't believe that he is gone. He told me that he is planning to come to Melbourne and he hoped to see me then. But of course that was not to be to my great regret.
You were blessed to have a wonderful husband and with him had four children who gave you grand-children and one great grandson. Henry was also blessed to have you as his wife. I can only pray that you can be
strong enough to live the rest of your life without him which I am sure will be very hard for you. But having
a big family should help you.
Hope in due time you will continue to be in touch with me through facebook.
Love,

Varda Eisikovich

Dear Miriam:
we were immensely shocked and saddened by the news of Henry's passing. He was a friend of many, many years and especially close to my brother Bob.
Much love from all the Sitsky family.

Larry and Magda

Very sad to hear of Henry’s passing. Condolences to Miriam and family . May his memory live in on.

Betty Levy

To Miriam and all your beautiful family,
Our deepest sympathy to you all on the sad passing of Henry,... husband , father, grandfather and recent great grandfather and a fine member of the community.
Our good memories date back over 50 years to those wonderful Betar days of our youth,...formative times..good times.
Sending our condolences and wishing, long life Love

Ruth and Leon Ratner

Dear Betar Family,

On behalf of the P&F, we would like to extend our wishes of “long life” to the family and friends of Dr Henry Briggs who sadly passed away last month on the 10^th January.

I was not fortunate enough to have met Henry personally, however, his life story is truly inspirational and his passion for Israel and his family typifies a true Betari.

Henry’s life was filled with many challenges. Born in Krakow in 1939, he survived the horrors of the Shoah by being separated from his parents and saved by Righteous Gentiles. He migrated to Australia where he was conscripted into the Australian Army. After his service, he studied medicine and became a specialist physician.

Throughout his life, he remained a passionate Zionist and an active Betari. It was during his time in Betar that he met and then later married Miriam Deston, from another ardent Betar family. Together they had 4 children: Deborah, Ari, Naomi and Simon who all shared their parents’ passion for Israel and Betar. It was this very passion that inspired two of his children to make Aliyah, with his son Ari returning to Australia briefly as the Betar Shaliach. At least twice a year, Henry and Miriam would travel to Israel to visit his family and maintain his connection with the country.

In an article in Australian Jewish News (11^th January 2018) which remembered his remarkable life, Henry’s time in Betar is identified as the pinnacle of his life which helped him realise his passion for Zionism.

In late December 2017, he launched his autobiography, To Life L’Chaim at the Sydney Jewish Museum surrounded by his loving wife, children and 12 of his 14 grandchildren, many of whom made the trip from Israel to share the special experience with Henry.

Henry was a true mensch and an exemplary Betari, his priorities were his family, the community and the State of Israel. He lived with purpose and a zest for life.

Dr Henry Briggs - we honour your life and thank you for your contributions to Betar and the State of Israel. As you told the AJN, your “life is a testimony to the fact that Hitler was not able to defeat the Jewish spirit.”

Shalom V'Tel Chai

Nathan Archie
President
Betar P&F