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Sharing
the Burden
IN HEBRON
By Yoni Bleichbard
We are frequently asked by
our friends “What can we
do to help Hebron? How can
we help secure the safety
and wellbeing of the
Hebron community? How
can we help them live
almost normal lives?
Yoni Bleichbard is our “RavShatz” (acronym for “Military Supervisor of Ongoing
Security”). As Hebron’s Security officer for the last 10 years, he was on site for all
the tragic terror attacks. The ten month old baby Shalhevet Pass died in Yoni’s arms
when he took her from her mother, seconds after the shooting. On another occasion,
under heavy fire, Yoni led a group of Hebron’s immediate response team into
the battle at “Worshipper’s Lane” where Col. Dror Weinberg and 11 others were
killed.
Despite his difficult experiences, this young man continues his work with dedication
and enthusiasm. Born in Petach Tikva, Yoni lived for a number of years in Altanta,
Georgia. A graduate of the prestigious Midrashat Noam High School, Yoni
went on to study at Yeshivat Shavei Hevron, married the Rosh Yeshiva’s daughter
and made Hebron his home after serving in the IDF as assitant to General Noam
Tibon, IDF commander of Judea & Samaria. Yoni has five children, including a son
named Dror Amichai – named after Col. Weinberg.
Due to his family’s service in Atlanta, Yoni has quite a good command of English
and has been increasingly “drafted” into the ranks of popular Hebron spokesmen
touring the US. Over the past year or two, Yoni wowed the crowds across central
New Jersey, Staten Island, Chicago and Atlanta. Yoni has volunteered to spend Israel
Independence Day in the US this year and will be joining Minister of Diaspora Affairs
Yuli Edelstein at a Gala Hebron fundraiser which will take place on April 14,
2010 at the home of Dr. & Mrs. Yigal Yahav in Skokie, Illinois. We are also hoping to
hold events with Yoni in Teaneck and Monsey over the Yom Ha’Atzmaut weekend.
Yoni has asked to share some thoughts with his friends across the US.
The truth is, the best thing you can do
is to simply come and visit - take part in
a Hebron Fund tour. By doing this, you
not only strengthen the connection with
the Hebron community and make them
feel loved and appreciated, you also
help our soldiers and armed forces
secure the area, by making a strong
show of a constant Jewish presence. You
help Hebron in displaying normalcy, just
by walking fearless and proud as if you
were in any other Jewish city.
This action, however immensely
important it may be, is not a solution for
those finding the trip to Hebron
difficult. However, there are additional
ways in assisting with Hebron's security.
It may be just a small effort, but these
things help secure our community.
8 Hebron Today Adar 5770/Winter 2010