Avraham Zilkha

Avraham Zilkha, 84, of Austin, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 17, 2022, surrounded by his family and loved ones. He was born in Baghdad, Iraq, the youngest of seven children. When he was twelve years old, he immigrated with his family to Israel. Growing up in Jerusalem, he balanced grade school with several night jobs, including a glass-blowing factory. After serving in the Israeli army, he studied at the Hebrew University and then immigrated to the United States. Avraham entered graduate school at the University of Texas at Austin and earned a PhD in linguistics. He then began his teaching career with brief stints at Indiana University and Ohio State University before returning to UT-Austin to spearhead its fledgling Hebrew program.

He spent nearly the next forty years teaching Hebrew and Middle Eastern studies while also raising three children as a single parent. Upon retiring he split his time between Israel and Austin before settling permanently in Austin where he earned a new title: Grandpa. He was an avid photographer and loved to tinker with electronics while listening to Mozart or Beethoven.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Tzion and Haviva, his sisters Lulu and Nazima, and his brother Nuri. He is survived by his sister Amuma, his brothers Yosef and Yoel, his daughter Orly, his sons Gil and Ron, his daughter-in-law Adrienne, and his grandsons Jake and Luke. A memorial service will be held at Congregation Beth Israel, 3901 Shoal Creek Blvd, Austin, TX, on Friday, September 30, 2022, at 1:00 PM.