Rabbi Eliyahu Deri z”l

Reb Eliyahu Deri z”l, father of former Shas Chairman Aryeh Deri, passed away overnight at the Hadassah-Ein Kerem Medical Center in Yerushalayim.

Rabbi Deri, who was 79, was also the father of Rav Yehudah Deri, rov in Beer Sheva.

Reb Eliyahu was born in Morocco and emigrated to Eretz Yisroel in 1968, first living in Bat Yam and later moving to Har Nof in Yerushalayim. He was known as a remarkable individual, with sterling character and a warm word and smile for all. He maintained a particularly close relationship with Chacham Ovadiah Yosef.

He is survived by his wife, Esther; his sons, Reb Yehudah, Reb Aryeh, Reb Shlomo and Reb Nissim; his daughter, Mrs. Ben Naim, wife of Reb Shlomo Ben Naim; and numerous grandchildren.

The levaya is taking place at Bais Knesses Toldos Yitzchok on Rechov Hakblan in Yerushalayim, followed by kevurah on Har Hamenuchos.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Yair Alpert-Matzav.com Israel}