Olga Ginsburg Elkaïm left us

Michael Elkaïm, son of Mony and Olga, announces the passing of his mother: Olga Ginsburg Elkaïm left us on July 31, 2025. She was a woman of integrity in her fight against injustice, pretense, and social hypocrisy. Highly cultured, she was interested in many fields and her contributions were always extremely relevant. One day, while attending one of the scientific conferences of the Michel de Montaigne Institute with Mony, after several scientists had spoken about the brain, she asked this remarkable question: “But where is the seat of consciousness?” ” A long silence followed and, of course, there was no answer. At all the conferences, both those of the IEFSH and then those of EFTA, Olga was interested in what new insights they would bring, and she would suggest, in her sententious manner, that emphasis be placed on particular themes that she considered crucial. Mony always attached great importance to this. It was always a pleasure to see her come and say hello at our working meetings. Her highly perceptive comments opened up new possibilities, as Mony would have said. She was present throughout Mony’s life, both in his scientific and political commitments. Above all, she was the person who found the strength to support Mony throughout his long hospital stay. By his side every day, she was his link to friends and all those who wanted to show Mony their affection and sympathy. André-Jacques Neusy, one of the couple’s best friends, summed up what this couple meant to him in his tribute to Mony: “These two wonderful people, different, similar but so complementary. Olga and Mony became inseparable, developing a lifelong bond based on the same values and ideals, the same struggles to which they devoted themselves tirelessly.” (*).
We will miss them both.

Myriam Cassen and Jacques Pluymaekers

(*) Cahiers critiques de thérapie familiale et de pratiques de réseaux 2021 N°66