Yesterday, the Women in Green held a memorial ceremony for our dear friend, Rechavam Ze?evi (Gandhi) on the first anniversary of his death. We planted trees and dedicated a memorial stone in his memory on the Mount of Olives. The inscription on this stone, both in Hebrew and English, is as follows:
THE RECHAVAM GROVE
IN MEMORY OF OUR BELOVED FRIEND, LEADER AND WARRIOR
RECHAVAM ZE?EVI (GANDHI)
MURDERED BY ARAB TERRORISTS.
HE WILL ALWAYS BE AN INSPIRATION
TO JEWS EVERYWHERE.
WOMEN IN GREEN, OCTOBER 2002.
This ceremony was an experience which was very sad, but at the same time, uplifting. At the end, we all joined in joyously singing ?Am Yisrael Chai?- ?The People of Israel Shall Live?. We felt that the spirit of Gandhi was still with us?that our memorial ceremony was in fact, a celebration of Gandhi?s life.
Nine days ago, Sgt. Ari Weiss was murdered by an Arab sniper in Shechem, the biblical city where Joseph was buried. Ari Weiss was the son of Rabbi Stewart and Mrs. Susie Weiss. In eulogizing his son, Rabbi Stewart Weiss asked that all assembled return home and sing ?Am Israel Chai?.
Last Sunday, the Jerusalem Post published a column by Rabbi Weiss entitled ?The Never-Ending Story?, which had previously appeared in that paper on April 19, 1996. The following is an excerpt from that article:
The story of Baruch Shapiro mirrors the struggle of a whole people, encapsulating what it means to live and die as a proud Jew in the modern State of Israel.
Baruch was the last remaining son of Chaim Shapiro, native of Cracow and survivor of Auschwitz. By a combination of strength, and luck, Chaim lived through the unspeakable hell of the death camp, emerging from it along with his son Baruch.
Chaim?s wife and five other sons were less fortunate. They perished together with the multitudes of Jews we now refer to as the Six Million.
In a pitiful state, confused and shattered, father and son came here, along with thousands of other remnants of the ovens, to build a new life and restore hope. But their dream of piecing together a new beginning would have to be delayed.
Arriving on the shores of Palestine, young Baruch now 18 years old was handed a gun and a uniform, and drafted into what would become the Israel Defense Forces. There were those who planned to finish what the Nazis had begun, and a new war was about to erupt.
Chaim watched his son go off to war along with the other young men, and he tried to put his fears and foreboding out of his mind, busying himself with the difficult task of hewing out a place in the gritty new country now battling for its first breaths of air.
It was in the latter stages of the War of Independence that Baruch Shapiro fell, on the road to Jerusalem, defending the capital. He had distinguished himself throughout the war, and died guarding his post from enemy advance.
When a young captain informed Chaim of the death of his son, the father uttered not a word. He simply nodded silently and folded the official notification over and over in his hand.
Many hundreds of friends and comrades came to Baruch?s funeral. The Chief of Staff was also there, for he had heard of the young man?s distinguished service in his unit.
An overwhelming sense of loss pervaded the day, for those assembled knew of the unique circumstances of the Shapiro family and wished to demonstrate their solidarity with the aging father whose family line had come to a sudden, tragic end.
During the brief ceremony, Chaim remained silent. He listened impassively as the appropriate Psalms and prayers were recited and as Baruch?s commanding officer eulogized him as an exemplary soldier.
But when the flag-draped body was lowered into the grave, Chaim Shapiro suddenly began to sing, quietly at first, then more loudly.
He sang ?Am Yisrael Chai? over and over. Then he began to dance, grabbing some of Baruch?s friends and pulling them into a dance.
The crowd looked on in horror; sure the father had lost his mind. Clearly the enormity of the loss of his last remaining child had finally pushed him over the brink.
Those standing closest to Chaim tried to calm him down, to console him. The Chief of Staff put his arms around him and urged him to sit down. But Chaim pushed the general away, and carried on singing and dancing.
After several minutes, the elderly man turned to the crowd and began to speak: ?I am sure you think I have gone quite mad,? he began.
?But I can assure you that I am in complete control of my faculties. I know you think it outrageous that I should sing at my boy?s burial, but I want to explain why nothing could be more appropriate.
The crowd stood mesmerized. ?You see,? the father went on, ?when the rest of my family were murdered in Poland by the Germans, their lives ended in silence. They vanished, in the wink of an eye. They were snuffed out like candles, and no one saw or heard. No one took notice of who they were, what they had done, or what their lives had meant.
?To live and die in Poland was an empty and barren experience, containing only sadness and regret. It was a waste of precious life.
?But this son,? Chaim continued, pointing at the grave, ?this son is different. Baruch lived to walk upon the holy earth of Eretz Yisrael, and he died defending Jerusalem! A place we never dreamed we would see in our lifetimes. Baruch gave his life for all the people of Israel, so they could be free, and safe, and independent.
?That is not the waste of a life. It is the celebration of a life and that is why I sing today, as I say shalom to my son. And that is why all of you should sing with me.?
With that Chaim Shapiro began to sing ?Am Yisrael Chai? once more, and the assembled throng began to join in, until every voice in the cemetery was raised in a surrealistic song of sadness and joy, the tears of each emotion mingled on every face.
For a long time they sang thus together, until the hills of Jerusalem themselves seemed to be joining in the chorus: ?Am Yisrael Chai!?
***************************************************************
Rechavam Ze?evi was born in Jerusalem. He was a fourth generation Jerusalemite. He was assassinated by the Arab enemy. The family of Ari Weiss came on aliyah from Dallas, Texas. Ari Weiss was murdered by an Arab enemy sniper. Both Rechavam Ze?evi and Ari Weiss died as heroes in defense of their Jewish homeland.
The epic story of the Jewish people goes on, unabated. It is a story written in the blood of our men and women, on pages of pain and heroism. These two heroes inspire us to affirm: ?Am Yisrael Chai!???The People of Israel Shall Live!?
We have three guests tonight: Eddie Lindenbaum, the son-in-law of Gandhi; Eli Weiss, the brother of Ari Weiss; and Clarence Wagner, International Director of Bridges for Peace.
(A recording of this entire program, including the interviews, is available on www.IsraelNationalNews.com - Click on "On Demand Audio" on the blue bar.)
It is vitally important that you participate in this pro-Israel rally which is being convened by the Christian Coalition on Friday, October 11, in front of the White House, Washington DC.
There are, of course, many perfectly good reasons to back Israel. It shares America?s democratic and humanitarian values. It is America?s only reliable partner in the Middle East. It is America?s most important ally in the war against terrorism. Large numbers of demonstrators in front of the White House will show President Bush that his most ardent supporters do not want to reward Palestinian terror with a sovereign state.
Also, it is important that President Bush realizes that many of his Christian constituency consider the Bible the Word of G-d. Supporting Israelis a crucial element of their religious beliefs. To create a Palestinian State on Covenant Land is directly against what is written in the Bible.
I implore you to do your utmost to attend this rally. I know that many of you have organized prayer groups and that you diligently pray for Israel. I also realize that attending this rally, especially for those of you who live some distance from Washington DC, requires extra effort. In this connection, I want to tell you what my friend, Knesset Member Rabbi Benny Elon, said on an occasion when the Women in Green demonstrated against the Oslo Accords and Arab terror. ?Today,? he said, ?You are praying with your feet.?
I sincerely ask you, both Jews and Christians, to pray with your feet and to make every effort to bless Israel by attending this rally.
HaShem said to Abraham: ?I will bless them that bless you, and curse him that curses you, and in you shall all families of the earth be blessed.?
(Genesis 12:3)
=============================================
Ruth Matar is co-director of Women in Green
www.WomeninGreen.org
THE RECHAVAM GROVE
IN MEMORY OF OUR BELOVED FRIEND, LEADER AND WARRIOR
RECHAVAM ZE?EVI (GANDHI)
MURDERED BY ARAB TERRORISTS.
HE WILL ALWAYS BE AN INSPIRATION
TO JEWS EVERYWHERE.
WOMEN IN GREEN, OCTOBER 2002.
This ceremony was an experience which was very sad, but at the same time, uplifting. At the end, we all joined in joyously singing ?Am Yisrael Chai?- ?The People of Israel Shall Live?. We felt that the spirit of Gandhi was still with us?that our memorial ceremony was in fact, a celebration of Gandhi?s life.
Nine days ago, Sgt. Ari Weiss was murdered by an Arab sniper in Shechem, the biblical city where Joseph was buried. Ari Weiss was the son of Rabbi Stewart and Mrs. Susie Weiss. In eulogizing his son, Rabbi Stewart Weiss asked that all assembled return home and sing ?Am Israel Chai?.
Last Sunday, the Jerusalem Post published a column by Rabbi Weiss entitled ?The Never-Ending Story?, which had previously appeared in that paper on April 19, 1996. The following is an excerpt from that article:
The story of Baruch Shapiro mirrors the struggle of a whole people, encapsulating what it means to live and die as a proud Jew in the modern State of Israel.
Baruch was the last remaining son of Chaim Shapiro, native of Cracow and survivor of Auschwitz. By a combination of strength, and luck, Chaim lived through the unspeakable hell of the death camp, emerging from it along with his son Baruch.
Chaim?s wife and five other sons were less fortunate. They perished together with the multitudes of Jews we now refer to as the Six Million.
In a pitiful state, confused and shattered, father and son came here, along with thousands of other remnants of the ovens, to build a new life and restore hope. But their dream of piecing together a new beginning would have to be delayed.
Arriving on the shores of Palestine, young Baruch now 18 years old was handed a gun and a uniform, and drafted into what would become the Israel Defense Forces. There were those who planned to finish what the Nazis had begun, and a new war was about to erupt.
Chaim watched his son go off to war along with the other young men, and he tried to put his fears and foreboding out of his mind, busying himself with the difficult task of hewing out a place in the gritty new country now battling for its first breaths of air.
It was in the latter stages of the War of Independence that Baruch Shapiro fell, on the road to Jerusalem, defending the capital. He had distinguished himself throughout the war, and died guarding his post from enemy advance.
When a young captain informed Chaim of the death of his son, the father uttered not a word. He simply nodded silently and folded the official notification over and over in his hand.
Many hundreds of friends and comrades came to Baruch?s funeral. The Chief of Staff was also there, for he had heard of the young man?s distinguished service in his unit.
An overwhelming sense of loss pervaded the day, for those assembled knew of the unique circumstances of the Shapiro family and wished to demonstrate their solidarity with the aging father whose family line had come to a sudden, tragic end.
During the brief ceremony, Chaim remained silent. He listened impassively as the appropriate Psalms and prayers were recited and as Baruch?s commanding officer eulogized him as an exemplary soldier.
But when the flag-draped body was lowered into the grave, Chaim Shapiro suddenly began to sing, quietly at first, then more loudly.
He sang ?Am Yisrael Chai? over and over. Then he began to dance, grabbing some of Baruch?s friends and pulling them into a dance.
The crowd looked on in horror; sure the father had lost his mind. Clearly the enormity of the loss of his last remaining child had finally pushed him over the brink.
Those standing closest to Chaim tried to calm him down, to console him. The Chief of Staff put his arms around him and urged him to sit down. But Chaim pushed the general away, and carried on singing and dancing.
After several minutes, the elderly man turned to the crowd and began to speak: ?I am sure you think I have gone quite mad,? he began.
?But I can assure you that I am in complete control of my faculties. I know you think it outrageous that I should sing at my boy?s burial, but I want to explain why nothing could be more appropriate.
The crowd stood mesmerized. ?You see,? the father went on, ?when the rest of my family were murdered in Poland by the Germans, their lives ended in silence. They vanished, in the wink of an eye. They were snuffed out like candles, and no one saw or heard. No one took notice of who they were, what they had done, or what their lives had meant.
?To live and die in Poland was an empty and barren experience, containing only sadness and regret. It was a waste of precious life.
?But this son,? Chaim continued, pointing at the grave, ?this son is different. Baruch lived to walk upon the holy earth of Eretz Yisrael, and he died defending Jerusalem! A place we never dreamed we would see in our lifetimes. Baruch gave his life for all the people of Israel, so they could be free, and safe, and independent.
?That is not the waste of a life. It is the celebration of a life and that is why I sing today, as I say shalom to my son. And that is why all of you should sing with me.?
With that Chaim Shapiro began to sing ?Am Yisrael Chai? once more, and the assembled throng began to join in, until every voice in the cemetery was raised in a surrealistic song of sadness and joy, the tears of each emotion mingled on every face.
For a long time they sang thus together, until the hills of Jerusalem themselves seemed to be joining in the chorus: ?Am Yisrael Chai!?
***************************************************************
Rechavam Ze?evi was born in Jerusalem. He was a fourth generation Jerusalemite. He was assassinated by the Arab enemy. The family of Ari Weiss came on aliyah from Dallas, Texas. Ari Weiss was murdered by an Arab enemy sniper. Both Rechavam Ze?evi and Ari Weiss died as heroes in defense of their Jewish homeland.
The epic story of the Jewish people goes on, unabated. It is a story written in the blood of our men and women, on pages of pain and heroism. These two heroes inspire us to affirm: ?Am Yisrael Chai!???The People of Israel Shall Live!?
We have three guests tonight: Eddie Lindenbaum, the son-in-law of Gandhi; Eli Weiss, the brother of Ari Weiss; and Clarence Wagner, International Director of Bridges for Peace.
(A recording of this entire program, including the interviews, is available on www.IsraelNationalNews.com - Click on "On Demand Audio" on the blue bar.)
It is vitally important that you participate in this pro-Israel rally which is being convened by the Christian Coalition on Friday, October 11, in front of the White House, Washington DC.
There are, of course, many perfectly good reasons to back Israel. It shares America?s democratic and humanitarian values. It is America?s only reliable partner in the Middle East. It is America?s most important ally in the war against terrorism. Large numbers of demonstrators in front of the White House will show President Bush that his most ardent supporters do not want to reward Palestinian terror with a sovereign state.
Also, it is important that President Bush realizes that many of his Christian constituency consider the Bible the Word of G-d. Supporting Israelis a crucial element of their religious beliefs. To create a Palestinian State on Covenant Land is directly against what is written in the Bible.
I implore you to do your utmost to attend this rally. I know that many of you have organized prayer groups and that you diligently pray for Israel. I also realize that attending this rally, especially for those of you who live some distance from Washington DC, requires extra effort. In this connection, I want to tell you what my friend, Knesset Member Rabbi Benny Elon, said on an occasion when the Women in Green demonstrated against the Oslo Accords and Arab terror. ?Today,? he said, ?You are praying with your feet.?
I sincerely ask you, both Jews and Christians, to pray with your feet and to make every effort to bless Israel by attending this rally.
HaShem said to Abraham: ?I will bless them that bless you, and curse him that curses you, and in you shall all families of the earth be blessed.?
(Genesis 12:3)
=============================================
Ruth Matar is co-director of Women in Green
www.WomeninGreen.org