Noam Shalit, father of kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit spoke to our students. He acknowledged the efforts of the students who, since 2006, attend a weekly prayer vigil for Gilad on Wednesday mornings, opposite the Iranian Mission. Noam asked that on this day of remembrance we do not forget his son, Gilad. In tribute to Gilad, Ari Berkowitz (’09), Elan Kiderman (’09), Jake Wilner (’09) and Joel Goldschlag (’11) presented an emotional rendition of the song, “Hayeled Shel Kulanu.”

Following the two minute memorial siren, Matan Pinto, an officer in the prestigious Golani Brigade shared his experiences as a chayal in Lebanon. He spoke about the dilemmas posed when fighting “house to house” and the challenges every Israeli soldier faces when he/she responds, without hesitation, to “tzav shemoneh.”

Please click on Yom HaZikaron 2009. It is important that you listen to Noam and to Matan; descriptive words do not do justice to their messages.