by Adva Fuchs, Editor in Chief
Hundreds of children and parents sat in deject as the Friends of Israel Scouts (Tzofim) remembered a fallen Israeli hero, Yitzhak Rabin. On this cold November second, at 5:30 pm, a ceremony at the Kaplen Jewish Community Center (JCC) on the Palisades had many weeping over their comrade’s death at the 19th anniversary of his assassination.
Silent, with eyes focused on the stage, all attendees watched as the Tzofim performed their annual memorial of the “bone breaking” peacemaker, most well known for his help on the Oslo Accords. Hand picked “chanichim” or young members read the history of Rabin, the efforts he made for Peace in the Middle East, and the effect of his death on Israelis everywhere.
“Being at the Rabin ceremony made me feel very close to my…country… Being part of the Tzofim during this ceremony and…showing my respect for Yitzhak Rabin made me feel like a proud Israeli, knowing he did so much not only for Israel, but for the world,” first year Tzofim counselor Gaia Hamani said.
At the climax of the memorial, the song Rabin sang at the peace rally before his death Shir LaShalom by Shiri Maimon (שיר לשלום – מירי אלוני), as well as Heyeh Nachon – the song of Tzofim (היה נכון), was sung by all members of Tzofim and the audience to lift the spirits of attendees and remember the strides for peace made in the Middle East.
“…it was really good how it was mostly [the younger kids]…it’s important to get the younger kids involved, they are our future and [need] to have the knowledge about Rabin and Israeli events in general [and] it’s the Tzofim’s job to make sure of it,” Ramapo College student Matan Baron said.
No claps were heard during this entire service as it is seen as a sign of disrespect for the fallen prime minister, but looks of esteem and appreciation were seen throughout the crowd. The ceremony ended with the Israeli national anthem Hatikvah (התקווה) and a word from a student scout coordinator (מרכזת).
Following this day of remembrance, the next memorial of this magnitude will take place in April for Holocaust Remembrance Day which will include a black room (memorial room) and a candle lighting remembrance ceremony at the JCC on the Palisades.
IMG 8956 from Samantha Aversano on Vimeo.
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