E-mail: eddy.vanbeek@skynet.be

Commentaar: My dearest condolences for Elke, her husband, her family and all our dancing friends.

Commentaar: I am so sorry. She was so happy at Machol Aviv. What a tragedy. My sincere condolences

Commentaar: I did not know Elke by name but when I saw her photograph I recognised her immediately as a friendly, elegant woman who really loved dancing. I'm very sorry her camp with us had to end this way. I would like to add my sincere condolences to her family and friends.

Commentaar: My dearest condolences for Elke and her family. I cant believe dat our conversation we had was the first and the last.

Commentaar: What a terrible thing to happen. We will always remember Elke as a very happy, cheerfull and very sweet woman. My condolences to Thorsten and the rest of her family.

Commentaar: My condolences to the husband, family and friends of Elke. I do agree with Rik,that there are no words for such a tragedie. Indeed she seemed so lucky, while she danced.

Commentaar: My sincere condolences to Thorsten and family. What a dreadful tragedy after such a happy fun-filled weekend. My thoughts are with you-with much sympathy - Arlene

Commentaar: My sincere condolences to the family and friends of Elke. I can not believe it.

Commentaar: This camp, we met Elke oustide, on one of these cubes, and had a chat together. We got to know her as a cheerful, sincere and very kind woman. This is also the way we will remember her. From this day on, milion kochavim will have a double meaning.We will think of her when dancing it. To all of her family, our sincerest condolences.

Commentaar: I'm so sad...she was so nice,always happy...My dearest condolences for Elke, her husband, her family and all our dancing friends.I think to you...

Commentaar: My dearest condolences to Elkes husband Torsten and her whole family. We will treasure her as every time cheerful and enthusiastic for dancing, It's really a big tragedy that just a dance camp finished this way for her.

Commentaar: I am so very sad... Have no words for this tragedy. Elke, we will miss your smiling face at our camps! To Torsten, family and friends, my sincere condolances

Commentaar: My dearest condolences for Elke and her family so sad!!!

Commentaar: With deepest condoleances for Thorsten and Elke's family and friends. Maybe it helps to think of Elke as a wise and lovely soul who finished her work on earth but will continue and we will meet again.

Commentaar: This picture captures exactly how she was in my mind - always bright-eyed and grinning with a cheeky sense of humour. We will miss her presence in the circle. My sincere condolences.

Commentaar: I am deeply sorry about what happened. Every yemenite step I take, will be one to her memory. My condolences to Thorsten and all Elke's family.

Commentaar: My condolences to Elkes family and friends. I'm very sad this happened to such a nice woman.

Commentaar: What a sudden loss. How quickly everything that is good can be taken away! A reminder that we must live our lives as fully as we can every day.

Commentaar: Those we loved don't go away They walk beside us every day Unseen, unheard, but always there Still loved, still missed, still very dear My condolences to Thorsten and her family.

Commentaar: My sincere condolences for Elke's husband, family and friends. I have seen her fighting, her bright eyes were still there. I will always remember her beautiful smile. She was a sweet woman and we will miss you Elke!!

Commentaar: This terrible shock will stay in my memorie forever,just 16 hours before this tragedy,I was with Elke in her car,having fun and listen to our favourite dancemusic,we had a wine together at midnight,wishing eachother all the best and joy,I say goodnight to her at night and see eachother on the next camp,she was a wonderfull sweet friend of mine during the camp. My heart is filled with sadness,my deepest condolences to Torsten and all her family and friends.I will miss you deeply,Elke

Commentaar: We met on wednesday evening in a restaurant and from then till the end of the camp she looked so happy.I will always remember her as a lovely lady with sparkling eyes and good humor. My dearest condolences to Thorsten, family and friends.

Commentaar: I'm so sorry, we will miss her at the camps. My sincere condolences to Thorsten, family and friends.

Commentaar: My deepest condolences to Thorsten, family and friends. If there are words that could soften the pain of this dreadful tragedy, I would never stop saying these words. My thoughts are with you, Thorsten, family and friends.

Commentaar: Such a tragedy, our sincere condolences to Elke's family and friends - Jackie and Eli.

Commentaar: I remember well Elke from other several workshops, she attend. I was shocked to hear about the accident that took her life. We will miss her on the dancing floor. My condolences to her husband and the family Moshiko

Commentaar: Such a waste...such a loss. I am so sorry and wish heartfelt condoences to Thorsten and the rest of her family and friends.

Naam: Corrie Pisanu

Commentaar: What a tragedy, after a live full of dance. My sincere condolences.

Commentaar: Thorston and all the family, my deepest condolance! Dear Elke, you have struggeld so hard! I wish I could have done more to help you... I'll take you with me in my heart!!!

Commentaar: The first time I met Elke was in 1994 when she attended our second weekend seminar with Yankele Levi here in Munich. Since then she participated at almost all of our seminars until 3 weeks ago (our 30th with Yaron Carmel). She already registered with her husband for the forthcoming 13th Machaneh Aviv (out of the 12 before she missed only one). She was employed by Lufthansa in Frankfurt and, even though not Jewish, spoke Hebrew quite well. I would like to convey my condolences to Elke’s husband Thorsten Sundermeier and my heartfelt sadness at his wife’s passing. May her memory be a blessing. Matti Goldschmidt (& wife Sandra)

Commentaar: I never met nor heard of Elke until news of this tragedy, but her picture is so haunting I feel as if I could almost know her through those eyes. My deepest condolences to her family and friends, to all with whom she danced. I am sure she will continue dancing with you over your shoulders.

Commentaar: At the camp Elke has been a lovely room mate and an enthusiastic dance partner to me. Feeling shocked by her sudden death I will keep the memory of her joyful company in my heart. My dearest condolence to Thorsten, family and friends!

Commentaar: Words, however kind, can't mend your heartache, but those who care and share your loss, wish you comfort and peace of mind. May you find strenght in the love of family and in the warm embrace of friends. Our sincere condolences.

Commentaar: Her smile was always wonderful to see. A loss to her family and the world of IFD. My condolences to Thorsten and all her family.

Commentaar: We always shall remember that we’ve met with Elke at all the dance camps and especially our conversations during the smoke breaks. The future dance camps won’t be the same without Elke, because she was ALWAYS present. Our condolences go out to her husband Thorsten, family and friends.

Commentaar: It is a terrible tragedy. Elke seemed so happy. She was a lovely person and she was always so helpful. Itwas a pleasure to be in her company. Iwill miss her next year. My sincere condolences to Thorsten and all the family.

Commentaar: What a terrible tragedy. My condolences to her husband, family and friends.

Commentaar: Mein Beileid an die gesamte Familie. Ich bin geschockt, da wir ein paar Tage vorher noch telefoniert hatten. Wir werden Elke sehr vermissen.

Commentaar: In a split second a sparkling life destroyed. I will remember her as a very kind cheerful woman. My sincere condolances for her husband, family and friends.

Commentaar: My sincere sympathy not only to my good friend Thorsten, but also to all who knew Elke, especially to those associated with the Israeli Dance / Machol Aviv group, which was such an important part of Elke's life. We write from many lands to share our sadness, and to express our sense of loss. Elke and Thorsten touched the lives of many people around the world. To Elke I bid good-bye and say one last "Shalom." May our thoughts offer some comfort to Thorsten. Shalom, Richard

Commentaar: J'ai le souvenir d'une dame gaie et très joyeuse rencontrée un été à Mechol Hashalom. En plus de la danse, elle aimaiat dialoguer et partager avec tout le monde. De là où elle se trouve à présent, elle continue à sourir à l'autre vie qui l'a enlevé à ses proches à qui j'adresse toute ma sympathie. Benny Assouline. Paris

Commentaar: Lots of light and love to Torsten, family and their friends... I am shocked, lots of thoughts in my head. Thank you Elke for lots of learnig and speaking hebrew, dancing israeli folk dances. I will always remember you.... Love Dagmar

Commentaar: Elke was my trainer when I started at LH 1983. We spend lots of time together outside of work and after I quit in 1991. I still have problems to imagine I won't see her again... My deepest condolences to Torsten and her family.

Commentaar: What a terrible tragedy, I'm very sad this happened. My sincere condolences to Thorsten, the family and friends.

Commentaar: We were in the Frankfurt dancing group for many years. I can not believe that she won´t never come to dance in the future. Her optimism and her lough I will miss.

Commentaar: Dear Thorsten and family...I remember Elke as one of the dancers in Machol Aviv, a happy and giving person and all my thoughts are with you...lots of love to all the family, Oren

Commentaar: Dearest family...on the way home from machol hungaria, the first time not in aviv, i heard about this tragedy and was in deep sorrow. Elke used to entertain me outside in malle when I went to smoke and I remember her as a very cheerful person full of life, if we keep her in our memory, she ll be with us in all the next camps to come. all the best wishes and thoughts to Thorsten and family...

Commentaar: We wish our dearest friend Thorsten the strenght to master this terrible loss. You know we always will be by your side. And to our dearest Elke: Aloha pumehana. You know, how much we miss you.

Commentaar: My thoughts are with Thorsten and Elke's family during this difficult time. She will be very much missed.

Commentaar: Wir koennen bisher nicht begreifen, dass Elke nicht mehr mit uns ist. Sie hat so das Leben, ihr warmes, gemuehtliches Haus, Ihr Tanzen genossen.Sie bleibt immer in unseren Herzen.

Commentaar: Lieber Thorsten, liebe Familie von Elke, ich sende Euch hiermit mein aufrichtiges Mitgefuehl fuer den traurigen Verlust von Elke. Elke ist fuer mich die Frau, die ueber die gesamte Zeit unserer gemeinsamen Tanzkurse immer ein Laecheln trug. Ich werde sie als eine ganz besonders liebenswerte Person in Erinnerung behalten! Fuer diese schwere Zeit wuensche ich Euch viel Staerke, mit herzlichen Gruessen, Anne Roget

Commentaar: My heartfelt sympathy to Thorsten, Elkes mum, her sister and brother and her family and may you have the strength to live with her not being around. Elke and I have been friends since we were 10 year old little girls. We have shared so much, she was loving and caring, always interested, warm and honest. I will miss her terribly and I hope we will all find comfort in the words Michelangelo once said: "I am not dead I have just changed rooms I live within you and I walk through your dreams"

Commentaar: Lieber Thorsten Mein herzliches Beileid: es ist nicht zu fassen. Elke gehoert zu Malle,sie gehoert zu unserer Tanzfamilie. Elke: so freundlich und so lustig. Ich wuensche Dir sehr viel Kraft und bin in Gedanken bei Dir. Elke bleibt Teil von unserem Israelischen Tanzkreis. Marjo Deutsch

Commentaar: What a terrible thing happened. I didn't know your name, buth when I saw your picture, I thought: O dear, that women, always smiling and always that beautyfull sparkling glow in your eyes when you were dancing. That's how we all remeber you, we will miss you. Although we can not see you anymore, I'm sure you will always still dancing whit us becouse you will always be in our hart.

Commentaar: Elke was my Collegue at LH for two years and after I mooved to Cologne we always kept in contact,I loved to read her letters at Christmas about all the joyful trips she and Thorsten made throughout the year. Our thoughts are with Thorsten, Elke`s family and friends, we wish you all the strength you need right now. We are very sad *Antje and Ferdinand*

Commentaar: Elke was just like an aunt. I have known her my entire life and I am 28 years old. She was also the best friend of my parents. When I was younger I used to see Elke and Thorsten at least once a year and I regret that I have not seen her in a while. She will be greatly missed.

Commentaar: Ich war sehr traurig und betroffen von Elkes tragischen Unfall zu hören. Ihr Lächeln, ihr fröhliches Lachen, ihr feiner Humor und ihre große Liebe für Tänze aus Israel werden mir in lebendiger Erinnerung bleiben. Wir alle werden sie sehr vermissen! Ich möchte Torsten, der ganzen Familie und all ihren Freunden mein tiefes Mitgefühl ausdrücken.

Commentaar: Today we lay Elke to rest. I live only 10 minutes away. Elke used to be one of my dance students and I enjoyed her very much. She and Thorsten helped organise and film my 50th birthday 8 years ago. I will treasure that film forever. She also taught my group some dances that are still enjoyed today because they are so much fun. I wanted to call her the past weeks, but I procrastinated... now it's too late and that makes me even more sad.

Commentaar: Lieber Torsten, heute wird Elke beerdigt, ich kann leider nicht dabei sein, aber ich bin in Gedanken bei Euch. Ich habe die ganze Zeit versucht mir vorzustellen, dass es Elke nicht mehr gibt, aber es will mir nicht gelingen. Ich sehe sie tanzen, sie hat mir die Schritte gezeigt, wenn ich neben ihr tanzte, ich höre ihr Lachen und ihre schöne tiefe Stimme, die ich nie vergessen werde. Ich wünsche Dir auch, dass sie für Dich immer lebendig bleiben wird. Renate

Commentaar: I was saddend to hear about the death of Elke, and would like to pass on my thoughts to Thorsten and Elke's family.

Commentaar: I am sending my love, warm hugs and more love to Thorsten who now has to carry on on his own. I very much liked Elke, she was a lovely, outgoing, vivacious and thoughtful woman who loved life. Many years to met on a ferry going along the inside passage in Canada and we visited once in Langen, also a long time ago; but managed to keep in touch over the years. Thorsten, we have just tried to ring and speak to you, realising that the funeral must be right now (7.00pm in Australia) - Tschuess Elke, es war echt schoen, den Tag den wir damals in und um Langen miteinander verbringen konnten. My sincere condolences to Thorsten and Elke's family. Susanne

Commentaar: Dear Elke, God looked around His garden and found an empty space. He then looked down up on earth and saw your lovely face. He put his arms around you and lifted you to rest. God's garden must be beautiful, He only takes the best.

We will miss you here!

Commentaar: Lieber Thorsten,mein herzliches Beileid.Ich kann es immer noch nicht fassen, daß Elke nicht mehr unter uns ist.Ich habe Elke 1988 am Frankfurter Airport kennen und schätzen gelernt.Sie war meine Ziehmutter bei der LH und eine gute Freundin.Elke ich werde Dich vermissen.Dir Thorsten wünsche ich viel Kraft und bin in Gedanken bei Dir.Claudia

Naam: Lloyd, Nancy and Greg Bergman

Commentaar: We want to send our deepest condolences on the loss of your beloved Elka. She will be missed by all of us and always remember Thorsten we love you. Lloyd, Nancy & Greg Bergman

Commentaar: I do not know what to say... I am so sorry about this tragic accident... I think that no word will allow to understand the grief of all people who knew Elke. I think we have to remember the woman she was and not how she died. My sincere condolences.

Commentaar: We just checked our e-mail after arriving in NH and we read the terrible and unbelievable news of our dear Elke. Words cannot express our feelings of grief and sadness. A bright light has gone out in our lives. Thorsten, you and Elke will always be in our hearts and prayers. Please accept our deepest sympathy to you and Elke's family.

Commentaar: I can not believe that Elke is gone and that I will not see her again. I have known Elke since 1988 and we met at the airport where I worked myself. We though got more contact when going to the israely folk dancing in frankfurt. Most of all I will miss her laughter and her alsways good mood. Dear Torsten I wish to stay strong and keep on living as if she would be still around. You will be missed.....Shalom Michal

Commentaar: Wir denken nog voll Liebe an Elke zurück, die durch diesen unglücklichen Unfall aus unserer Mitte gerissen wurde. An Thorsten und seiner Familie möchten wir uns tiefes Beileid ausdrücken und wir werden Elke nie vergessen. Mit freundlichen Grüssen

Commentaar: Meine liebe Schwägerin Elke war ein Lebenskünstler, es war ihr vergönnt, ein schöpferisches, ausgefülltes Leben zu führen, weshalb ihr plötzlicher Tod Familie und Freunde besonders erschütterte. Dankbar erinnere ich mich an Elke’s bedingungslose Gastlichkeit. In stiller Trauer, Antje! Juli 2008