note that on 9 May in the Land of promise was celebrated even before the recreation of Israel in may 1948. Every Israeli citizen, regardless of whether he is a native of the country or refers to the immigrants of a particular wave is moving, is aware of that, thanks to the red army that fractured the backbone of the Nazi beast, and the contribution of allies, the Jewish people could rebuild their nation.
Chairman of the Israeli Union of veterans of the Second world war (WIS) 94-year-old Abram Meerovich Grinzaid, a former army intelligence officer, Sergeant of the red army, now living in Rehovot, in an interview with “RG” this idea was expressed quite succinctly: “it would Not be that victorious may of 1945, there would be may 1948 of the year.”
In the late 40-ies near the village of “mA’aleh ha-Hamish,” on the road from tel Aviv to Jerusalem was planted a forest named in honor of the red army. In 1950 there was built a monument in memory of Soviet soldiers who died fighting the Nazis. For many years this forest held its annual celebration dedicated to the Victory Day.
When in the late 80-ies of the last century began the so-called “Great aliyah,” that is, arrived in Israel a significant number of returnees, including ex-soldiers, partisans, prisoners of the ghetto, the Leningrad blockade, where the May 9 Victory Day was of great importance, the celebration of the final defeat of German fascism adopted a broad public nature.
every year on this day in all cities of the country there are parades of veterans, former soldiers arrive with orders and medals attached to their jackets, and someone to carefully stored the tunics and tunics. Under the Soviet music of those years, people, gray-haired, forever remaining soldiers through the streets of Israeli cities and towns, together with their grown-up children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and often great-grandchildren. Many wounds and time take their toll! – driven wheelchairs.
“In the early 90-ies of the country’s population of 20 thousand veterans, says Abram Meerovich, and today there were 4012 people.” Sighing, the veteran adds bitterly: “Only one year died 1017 members of our veterans’ Union contributed to the defeat of the vile enemy in the history of mankind”.
And indeed, a few months did not live up to the 75-anniversary of the Victory of the famous Soviet and Russian documentary filmmaker, a veteran of the war Yefim Lazarevich Holtzman, who died at the age of 94 years. Twice after severe contusions of the ordinary Holtzman returned to the soldier’s duty. The past 30 years the veteran lived in Rehovot, made a few films memory. Yefim Lazarevich was preparing materials for the film about the five brothers grace Lazar, Abram, Brands, Passover, Gregory-Hirsch, respectively, 1916, 1918, 1920, 1922 and 1924 Godot�� birth, who all died in the great Patriotic war. Notice here that the father of Yefim Lazarevic, who died in the early 50-ies, was also a veteran of the war.
In Jerusalem last month on the same day within a few hours of dead spouses Vasily and Riva Haimovna Thunder, met at the front and lived in good harmony 77 years. More than 30 years they have lived in Israel. She worked, raised her children and grandchildren. One of their granddaughters holds a responsible position in the Israeli police, and two grandchildren work in the diplomatic field.
this year in connection with the pandemic coronavirus parade of veterans cancelled. According to Abram Grinzayd, wide festive events moved, as in Russia, on September 3. However, the holiday is not canceled. 1200 has already received a personalized congratulatory letters to each veteran from President Vladimir Putin, who in his name are awarded by representatives of the Embassy of the Russian Federation. Is and will continue awarding commemorative medals of the Russian participants of the great Patriotic war, partisans, underground fighters, prisoners of the ghetto, the Leningrad blockade, now living in Israel.
51 city branch WIS prepared to award, the Israeli medal in honor of the 75th anniversary of the great Victory. On them the inscription in Hebrew and Russian: “to the glory of the one and a half million Jews who participated in the Second World war, of which 250 thousand were killed in battle.” Interesting detail, which told me Abram Meerovich. When on 23 January in Jerusalem President Putin opened the monument dedicated to the heroism of the defenders of Leningrad, called “Candle of memory”, Grinzaid handed the Russian leader an Israeli commemorative medal, which was then the inscription was in Hebrew only. Explaining this fact, Grinzaid jokingly said: “the Bible, too, was first written in Hebrew, then translated into Russian”. Putin laughed, but a former Sergeant of the red army knew that all labels associated with the Second world war, must be translated into Russian. Because otherwise it could not be! Because “the war was all one and the victory one for all”!
a memorial Mass action “Immortal regiment”, which is annually held in all the cities of the Jewish state, as solemn procession, not canceled, but postponed because of a viral pandemic on Sept. But for veterans, the venerable age of some of them approaching the century anniversary, every day can be your last. Not surprisingly, bat Yam, Haifa and other cities veterans with the support guys and girls from the “the Scout movement of the working and studying youth” during a video-conference will raise portraits of their friends and girlfriends, families who participated in the Second world war. The scouts will also give veterans a variety of gifts, Weddi which and commemorative cups.
In Israel, 46 of monuments and memorial steles erected in honor of Soviet soldiers-liberators, of partisans of the Leningrad blockade. The memorial complex dedicated to the heroic deeds of the soldiers of the red army, created by the decision of the government of Israel and with the consent of the Russian government, was inaugurated on 25 June 2012 in the city of Netanya. The ceremony was attended by President Vladimir Putin holding then a post of the President of Israel Shimon Peres. Dozens of monuments and steles, dedicated personally to the commanders of the red army, erected in various Israeli cities. Only in Ashdod, a city that is considered “Russian”, because a significant part of its population is immigrants from the Soviet Union and the countries formed after its disintegration has eight monuments to Soviet soldiers. A large monument was erected in Arad, a city in southern Israel.
in addition, in the Jewish state opened the doors of museums 13 Victories, many of which are subsidized by the local authorities. In the cities and towns at the initiative of the WIS and other public organizations opened more than 30 “Room of Glory”, which have great educational value, because clearly demonstrate the local youth and visitors the contribution of the Soviet Union and the countries of anti-Hitler coalition in the defeat of German Nazism. The remarkable fact – all “Room of Glory” subsidized by the government. And how here not to recall the immortal words of Konstantin Simonov: “And the dead straighten the ticket,/All goes somebody close to you/ time And adds to the list/ someone Else, someone no…/ puts, puts obelisks”.
every year on May 9 at all of these sites are pinned flowers. And this year is no COVID-19 this tradition will not break!
