Ammunition Hill

Bravery

Leadership

Connection to People

These are all values that one sees coming alive at Ammunition Hill, the site of a strategic battle that took place during the Six Day War. 182 Israeli soldiers died during this war and 36 of them fell at Ammunition Hill. As its name states this hill was home for ammunition. On the top was a British outpost that in 1948 was taken over by the Jordanians.

This strategic area would be needed in order to remove the Old City of Yerushalayim from Jordanian hands. The Six Day War did not begin as a war with Jordan. As a matter of fact, Israel asked Jordan not to get involved. Thankfully, (yes) they did allowing Israel to attack them. With Jordan in the war, the IDF realized conditions were good to allow them to unify Yerushalayim. In order to do that Ammunition Hill had to be conquered.

The battle began at 2:30 a.m. As we wandered through the bunkers on the hill, Nitzan shared the heroic battle through a famous song composed to tell the story. We heard of the bravery of the soldiers who gave up their lives for their people and country. We heard of the heroism of Eitan, who did not hesitate when ordered to get out of the bunker and shoot at their Jordanian attackers.

As the sun rose 5 hours later the hill was in our hands, paving the way for the IDF to enter the Old City. We’ve no doubt you’ve seen the amazing photos and footage of the soldiers entering the Wall and praying there. Please remember that it was the miraculous battle and G-d’s miracles at Ammunition Hill that allowed this to happen.  

As we ran in and out of bunkers we thought of the dedication that the soldiers had to the Jewish nation. Would we have had the courage to do what needed to be done? At Ammunition Hill there is a special ropes course and zip line run by a man named Yakov. It was here that our group recognized that we all have within us the ability to push ourselves to the limit. As we all took risks and overcame challenges, we realized that tests can be overcome with the assistance of our friends and a positive outlook.

We ended our tour with a special visit from Alon Wald, marketing manager and event coordinator at Ammunition Hill. Alon visited Longmeadow last year and is a dear friend of Dr. Ros Barron. When Rabbi Chaim Kosofsky met him and told him that G-d willing our trip would be visiting, Mr. Wald told Rabbi Kosofsky to contact him when our group arrived in Israel.

Alon Wald shared his own personal connection to Ammunition Hill. His father, Rami, was one of the 36 soldiers who gave their life during that battle. Alon Wald was 10 months at that time. He told the students how it was not until he began to attend school that he realized that he had no father, like all of his friends.

Through the assistance of his mother and his adopted “fathers” Mr. Wald recognized that his father loved him as well as his country. He spoke about bravery and that at times we all have with-in us the same bravery that pushes us to do for others, for our country and the Jewish nation. Alon Wald emphasized to our group that we are brave.

You came to Israel while there is a war going on. Your bravery will continue as you go back home. You will all carry this bravery into your homes, school and community. You belong to the Jewish people and are all a great part of our story.

This was an amazing way to end an amazing trip. Thank you, Israel for bringing out the best in us.