Remembering Our Dear Colleague, Irena Romano

This week, the Amal family was struck by deep sadness and shock with the sudden passing of our dear colleague and friend, Irena Romano, who left us far too soon at the age of 60. For more than three decades, Irena was the quiet yet steadfast heart of Amal. Through her dedicated work in the bookkeeping department, she became the face of professionalism, integrity, and care that so many of us came to rely on.

Irena joined Amal 25 years ago, shortly after making Aliyah from Ukraine with her parents and younger brother. The family settled in Afula, and a few years later she married her beloved Yossi. Together they built a warm home in Bat Yam, and 16 years ago, their greatest joy arrived, their son Lior, “my light,” a name that perfectly expressed the love they felt for him. Lior is 18 today, in his last year of highschool.

Those who worked with Irena will always remember her as calm and wise, with a remarkable ability to bring perspective to every challenge. Her optimism was steady, practical, and contagious. She believed in living well: walking daily, eating health food and laughing often, especially at herself. She encouraged others to do the same, always reminding us that life should be met with both responsibility and humor.

At Amal, Irena was more than a colleague, she was a source of guidance and kindness. She cared deeply for Amal students, overseeing the network’s scholarship allocations with unwavering commitment. School principals knew they could count on her and feared her gentle scolding, when scholarship lists were late. Her belief was simple yet profound: education is the path forward, the key to building a cohesive, caring society. Irena’s sudden passing, while out on her daily walk, leaves us all heartbroken. Her presence filled our halls with quiet grace and her absence will be felt deeply. We will remember Irena’s strength, her light, and her generosity of spirit. May her memory be a blessing to all of us who had the privilege to know her.