22 warriors fell in battle on the spot during the War of Independence • For the first time a ceremony was held dedicated to their memory • "We can learn a lot from these women about sharing a burden"
The ceremony in memory of the warriors
Photo:
Oren Ben Hakon
An exciting salute event was held today (Tuesday) at the Kfar Etzion Field School in memory of the fighters who fell in the War of Independence in the battles of Gush Etzion.
This is a joint initiative of Sadeh School and Aluma, an organization that accompanies religious girls seeking to serve in the IDF. This is the first year such an event has been held. Dozens of women took part in the battles in Gush Etzion. There were Holocaust survivors and a last descendant of their family.
This morning the participants commemorated the fallen and heard the testimony of one of the last warriors, Rebecca Nadibi.
Together they lit memorial candles and sought to mention the contribution of women in the war effort in the War of Independence.
"Choose to turn the spotlight"
MK (retired champion) Orna Barbibai from the Yesh Atid party, who has been accompanying the Aluma organization for years and who participated in the event, said: "I am very excited to stand here and from the fact that there were men and women who were willing to do anything.
It is never too late to put the spotlight on the contribution and fall of the warriors and it also connects us to what is happening today in Israeli society and to the place of women in society. "
Tami Halamish Eisenman, CEO of Aluma, said at the event: "Today we commemorate the 22 fighters who fell in this battle.
We can learn a lot from these women about sharing a burden and that everyone can contribute to defense with their abilities and strengths.
When one chooses to turn the spotlight on those warriors it gives place to them and the values they represent.
In this battle, women had a choice whether to stay or leave, all from a perspective that takes responsibility and equality in the burden. "
