Fallen USA and Canadian IDF Soldiers Remembered at AACI Memorial

 

"Standing here today, we are reminded what a bittersweet vista this memorial represents. Set in a peaceful forest overlooking the foothills surrounding Jerusalem, it provides a scene, which is at once pastoral and at the same time, also evocative of battles and hand-to-hand combat, marking critical episodes in the establishment of the State of Israel.  It is humbling to stand here beneath trees whose roots delve deep into Israel’s past, enabling the branches to reach up towards the sky."

 

The Hon. Daniel B. Shapiro, Ambassador of the USA in Israel, was speaking at a ceremony that took place on Monday, September 24, at the Association of Americans and Canadians in Israel (AACI) Memorial Forest overlooking Sha'ar Hagai and the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv highway. The ceremony, which takes place annually, was in memory of North Americans and their families who fell in the defense of the State of Israel and in acts of terror.

 

"This delicate balance between life and death, is far too great of a reality in Israel’s day to day existence," the ambassador continued. "And so it bears repeating once again that the United States stands, more than ever, by Israel’s side as a friend and ally, deeply committed to its security and independence.

 

 

"The more than 300 North Americans and Canadians whose memory we honor here today join ranks with the tens of thousands who have died for Israel.  No part of Israel’s statehood was won without sacrifice.  The enduring and unshakeable bond between the United States and Israel rests on America’s deep understanding of the sacrifices Israel has made to gain and uphold its independence. 
 
"After tragedies, we often say 'never forget,' but time goes on, and life is busy.  When witnesses and loved ones die and memories fade, the challenge to remember, and in turn, to really understand, becomes more difficult.  Too often we forget.  This is why I salute the efforts of the Americans and Canadians in Israel in memorializing fallen friends and countrymen with such appropriate respect and honor. You are the torch-bearers of the shared values that Israel and the United States hold dear. You are an embodiment of our joint vision for the future."

 

Julian Landau, father of fallen Israeli solider Yair Landau, Z"L.

Dr. Max Glassman reads the Prayer for Israel. Photos: Tania Susskind

 

The AACI Memorial Forest is located on a hilltop that commands a magnificent view of Sha'ar Hagai, the "gate to the valley", which was the scene of fierce battles for control of the highway to Jerusalem during Israel's War of Independence. Donna Grushka and Rabbi Jay Kartzen, members of the AACI Memorial Committee, emceed the moving ceremony. In her remarks, Ms. Grushka told the audience that KKL-JNF was the host of the ceremony together with AACI. "KKL-JNF is the creator and maintainer of this beautiful forest, along with many other beautiful forests all over Israel. AACI is grateful for KKL-JNF's continued cooperation and generous support in making this program possible over the years."

 

KKL-JNF Director of Fundraising Michael Ben Abu greeted the guests on behalf of KKL-JNF: "Each year, we offer tribute to the unbreakable bond between members of AACI and the state of Israel, the people who gave their life to this land, whether by fighting for it, or simply just because they chose to live here. This memorial site, which was created by KKL-JNF and the AACI, is a reflection of AACI's commitment to the fallen and their families, which is so rooted in Jewish tradition and heritage. Each year when I attend this ceremony, I pray that this year will be the last year of adding new names to the memorial wall. We live the legacy of the fallen, and in their merit we should remember, grow, be compassionate, flourish and blossom."

 

Asa Cohen. Photo: Tania Susskind

Sherri Mandel. Photo: Tania Susskind

 

Asa Cohen, the AACI National President, mentioned in his remarks that there is definitely tension in the air in Israel now, "and the drums of war are beating in the background. There is a Chinese curse to live in interesting times, and the times we are living in may be too interesting. I have a wish that we should come here once, remember our fallen, then turn to the memorial wall, and as Mr. Ben Abu said, see no new names inscribed. Unfortunately, it's still a wish."

 

The new names on the wall were unveiled by Dina Blatt, the mother of Netta Blatt-Sorek. Netta was murdered by Arab terrorists in February, 2010, while she was spending a five-day vacation at the Beit Jamal monastery near Beit Shemesh. The monks reported her missing after she failed to return from an afternoon walk. Her murderers were discovered only a year later, after they murdered Kristine Luken in the same general area.

 

The memorial site, with the veiled names. Photo: Tania Susskind

 

Molly and Puah Palmer, wife of Asher Palmer and mother of Yonatan Palmer, and the mother of Asher Palmer and grandmother of Yonatan Palmer, and mother of Yonatan Palmer, lit the memorial torch. On Friday, September 23, 2011, Asher and year-old Yonatan were killed when their car overturned on a road near Kiryat Arba. Originally reported as a traffic accident, police and IDF officials later concluded that they were victims of a terror attack who died when rocks thrown at their car broke the windshield.

 

Wreaths were presented by Lt. Col. Amir Attia of the IDF Home Front Command; Allen Brown, the political counselor of the Embassy of Canada and US Ambassador Shapira; Tamar Remer of Aardvark Israel, a youth movement whose members spend a year in Israel between high school and college that sent a delegation to the ceremony; and AACI treasurer Matthew Schein. The Prayer for the State of Israel was beautifully read in Hebrew by Dr. Max Glassman, AACI patron, and in English by his wife Gianna.

 

L- Donna Grushka; R- Rabbi Jay Kartzen. Photos: Tania Susskind

 

The concluding address on the topic of remembrance was given by Sherri Mandel, the mother of Kobi, who was brutally murdered in 2001 by terrorists. Ms. Mandel heads the Kobi Mandel Foundation, which is dedicated to helping bereaved families recreate their lives. "Remembering is not simple, it is so painful. We were people who came here who barely knew the word Israel, and then our son was murdered. Now, Kobi's death is history. We came to Israel in order to take part in Jewish history. Growing up in the USA, we didn't fully understand what that meant.

 

"Remembering can be a mark of resilience. History is collective memory, and how we remember builds or destroys us. It is sad when people refuse to remember, as was the case with the recently concluded London Olympics, where they refused to honor the memory of the 11 Israeli athletes who were murdered during the 1972 Munich Olympics.

 

Singing Hatikva. Photo: Tania Susskind

 

"Remembering connects us to our people and ultimately to the entire world. There are people whose names are engraved on this plaque who aren't Jewish. You could be anybody and be killed here. Ultimately, remembering and resilience lead to redemption and blessing, and through these blessings, we will bring blessing to the entire world," Mandel concluded.