Eliezer Hollander – Manager

Eliezer (Eli) was the eldest son to two holocaust surviving parents, who immigrated to Israel in the year 1946 with a movement called "Aliyat Ha'noar".

Eli was born in Israel in 1951, and was raised in a traditional Jewish home, with the scars both his parents had from the holocaust, where they lost all of their relatives.
"I used to collect many things as a child", Eli explains.
After the army, the hobby of collecting took a more serious turn, when Eli went to a school of antiques in Tel-Aviv, to study his passion.
"I loved hearing the bible stories that my father would read every week on the Sabbath. My father was the youngest of six children to his father, Eliezer, whom I was names after. I was greatly fascinated with the story my father told me about his grandfather, Pesach Hollander, who died in his home at the beginning of the holocaust.

My father was the last to stay home when his five older siblings were sent away to the camps. Pesach, who was on his death bed, gave my father the traditional blessing of the sons, since he was the last one left.
When he was done blessing him, he turned around and died.

Every Passover (which in Hebrew is called Pesach), my father would tell us the story of grandpa Pesach over and over, and that the blessing he gave him, he believed, was the reason he managed to survive the horrors of the war.
My father remembered that grandpa Peach was buried somewhere on the edge of the Jewish cemetery in Auschwinchin.
In 1986, I decided to go to Polandand visit Auschwinchin. When I got there, I discovered that the Jewish cemetery was still standing, although it was badly damaged by the Nazis. There were broken tombstones all around me, and the gate that used to carry a David's Star was now collapsed unto the ground.
On my way out, looking through my camera, my eyes stumbled upon a broken tombstone lying on the ground. It carried my name: Hollander. When I got closer, I saw that it was indeed Pesach's tombstone, which carried his father's name as well – Eliezer. My name, that has been in my family for generations.
Soon after, I found out that the Polish government wanted to completely destroy that cemetery, in order to build on that land. I took the matter to court in Holland, and eventually the decision was made to reconstruct the Jewish cemetery as a reserved location, that can never be demolished."

Nearly ten years ago, Eli started Mir-El Antiques, building up and selling from his own private collection at first, and slowly purchasing more and more items.
"My favorites are the items that tell a story. I feel as if they speak when I look at them. That's how I decide what I would like to buy."
Eli continues: "This company is where I was able to find the balance between my passion for antique artifacts, and my love and respect for the Jewish history and tradition."

In the past 6 years of work on eBay, there have been less than ten cases in which there has been theft or damage to the packages. In all cases, the company has been known to compensate the customer quickly and efficiently.
"Every product we put up for sale is of excellent quality", Eli assures, "we guarantee the origin, material and condition of every item is exactly as stated. In many events, we consult an appraiser, in order to be completely confident that everything we write about the items is accurate."

Mir-El Antiques has an excellent level of service, responding quickly to any question or concern that a buyer might have. The company sends packages abroad three times a week, all by registered air mail, and upon request – express mail as well.
Mir-El Antiques has more than 2,000 artifacts in the store at any given time, from over one hundred countries, with many unique stories. The items are mostly purchased from individuals or families that immigrate to Israel. The many countries from which people immigrate to the holy land, is what contributes to the rare variety of items in the store.
Mir-El Antiques sell anything from Judaic items such as Menorahs, Torah pointers, Mezuzahs, Finials, Scrolls, Tsedaka (charity) boxes, Dreidels and charms, to Sculptures and Antique Figurines, jewelry, paintings, books, Antique Coins, clocks and swords.

Over the years, the company has managed to consolidate an efficient, professional team, with only five people, including Eli's eldest son.
Eli explains: "in addition to each person's loyal work and extreme professionalism, we have all developed a very close, warm relationship. The business feels a lot like a family."