Remember the Fallen~Pray the Missing Return

The Attack on 25 June, 2006

During this week of Pesach we all want to be with family. Sadly, too many families will have empty chairs at their seder table.

Please take a moment to remember, and say a prayer for all who who were taken from this world too soon, and for the speedy, safe return of the missing to their waiting families.

Pray that we will see peace in our time, and that our young people will be spared the need to stand on the front lines defending us.

Pray that parents, siblings and friends will no longer have to mourn the loss of those who were not given a chance to grow old, who did not even begin to live.

At 5:40 am, on the morning of 25 June 2006, terrorists from the Hamas and Popular Resistance Committees terror organizations infiltrated Israel through a tunnel originating from the Rafah area, passing under the security fence to the area between the Kerem Shalom and Sufa crossings.

Lt. Hanan Barak

Staff-Sgt. Pavel Slutzke

The terrorists,operating under cover of mortar and anti-tank fire from within the Gaza Strip, attacked an armored personnel carrier, an IDF tank and a watchtower. IDF forces returned fire, killing at least two terrorists. Even so, the attack resulted in the murder of two Israeli soldiers,  Lt. Hanan Barak, age 20, from Arad, who had planned  be a career officer after his three years of service ended, and Staff-Sgt. Pavel Slutzker, age 20, from Dimona, who had been awarded a full scholarship from Bar Ilan University, where he planned to study medicine. Four other soldiers were wounded, one severely, two moderately and one lightly. 

Greatly loved and missed by their friends and families, we must never forget that these two young men gave their lives in the service of our country. We must never forget the suffering of their families, and the emptiness they must deal with each day, and more so during the holidays. Their grief is unimaginable.

This same attack resulted in the kidnap of one soldier, Cpl. Gilad Shalit, and to this day his whereabouts and condition remain unknown--not even the Red Cross has been allowed to see him or confirm his status. When I see the posters, or pass the tent of the Shalit family in Jerusalem, I always remember there were two other young men on that dreadful morning--and they will never return. 

The entire country has hoped, prayed, petitioned, and waited, for the safe return of Gilad Shalit. Organizations, clubs and individuals have held every kind of  event to raise awareness. Endless efforts have been made, and will continue to be made to "bring Gilad back." Most importantly, people work tirelessly to insure that the world is not allowed to forget that a son of Israel is out there, waiting to come home.

To that end, on 19 March 2011, about 230 AMHSI students from all over the United States, as well as Israeli high school students from the Mosenson School, held a Flash Mob Dance to raise awareness of Gilad Shalit's plight and to remind the world that we want his safe return--now! This was filmed at the Port in Tel Aviv (that's in Israel)--and no matter what the PA spin doctors try to tell you, Tel Aviv is and always will be Israeli!

The song "One Day" is by AMHSI alumnus, Matisyahu, and was remixed by Israeli trance band Infected Mushroom.  Students have the opportunity of a premier Israel academic experience at Alexander Muss High School in Israel. AMHSI is dedicated to engaging teens to discover and embrace their connection to Israel's history, culture and land through education, experiences, and understanding.  

One Day~All Our Children Will Play~Freely, Safely...