Israeli businessman Eitan Wertheimer – one of the pioneers in Israeli industry – passed away at the age of 70 on Monday. He leaves behind his wife, five children, six grandchildren, his father, two sisters and his brother.
Wertheimer was raised by his parents Miriam and Steph in Nahariya. In his 20s, he rehabilitated and improved a number of companies and factories that he then sold, making his first fortune.
The businessman managed ISCAR, Ltd. for many years before leading the company’s sale to Warren Buffett in one of Buffett’s first deals outside the US.
Wertheimer also dedicated great resources and attention to philanthropic activities, most of which were done out of the spotlight.
Wertheimer helped found the Atidim program which aims to help youth from the periphery enter higher education institutions in Israel. He received an honorary doctorate from the Technion for founding the program. He also founded the “Daroma Tzafona” fund for businesses to help grow economic activity in northern and southern Israel.