It is with great sadness that we mark the passing of Aliza Ben-Tal, née Lisa Fromson, who passed away on March 14, 2022 in Tel Aviv, Israel after a long battle with cancer.
Aliza was a lifelong Zionist who fulfilled her dream by moving from her native Los Angeles to Kibbutz Mashabe Sade in the Negev as part of a youth movement. She lived on the kibbutz for 28 years.
Aliza was a proud Los Angeles native, grew up as a member of the University Synagogue and graduated from Pacific Palisades High School.
Her career in Israel was launched while she was still a student of social work at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU), and she was named student union representative to the Board of Governors. Her passion for the university became her vocation. Aliza worked for many years as the university liaison to the Board as well as special assistant to the President for International Affairs, deftly stewarding relationships with some of the University’s most cherished supporters from around the world. During the past decade, she worked as an Associate Producer and freelance consultant for EVA Productions of Paris, helping to produce a number of important documentaries.
Her life was particularly shaped by her father Murray Fromson’s rich career as a journalist. As a child, Aliza grew up not only in LA, but also traveled to and lived in other far-flung locations where her father covered the stories of the day in Vietnam, Russia and across the U.S. After her father’s retirement, Aliza facilitated her family’s sponsorship of an annual media mission in Murray Fromson’s name, bringing journalists to Israel and BGU to learn about the latest social and technological developments happening there.
Later in her life, Aliza made a move north—from southern Israel to Tel Aviv—determined to experience Israel’s rich cultural offerings with her wide circle of friends, despite the health issues that developed after she moved there. She became a virtual tour guide and cheerleader for Israel online as well, with a vast following on Facebook where she posted lively, insightful and well-researched posts about Israel, world events and political developments. She was also passionate about promoting peace and social justice.
Aliza is survived by her beloved mother, Dodi Fromson, brother Derek Fromson and his wife Ileana and their two children Isabella and Eric, and countless friends and relatives around the world.
Donations in memory of Aliza Ben-Tal/Lisa Fromson, will be directed to the Research Fund of Professor Nir Peled, Director of Oncology in Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem.
Israel: www.szmc.org.il
U.S.: www.acsz.org
Please note on the form that the donation is in memory of Aliza Ben-Tal.
May her memory be a blessing.
