Redeeming Captives:
The Mitzvah of Pidyon Shevuyim
Appendixes: Kol Yisrael Areivim Ze Lazeh
Note: Below you will find texts which can be adapted for simulated press conferences, worked into drama scenarios etc.
Zachary Baumel, missing since 1982.
(Based upon the Baumels' article, "Time for Release of Long Lost Sons," Jerusalem Post, September 13, 1993.)
Shalom. My name is Miriam Baumel. I am Zachary's mother. I am here today to tell you my story. It is a story that I do not like to tell, but I must if I am ever to see my son again.
As you know, every Israeli citizen is called upon to serve in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Every mother and father who sends a son or daughter to serve dreads the thought of their loved one falling into enemy hands. This is what has happened to my son.
Zachary has been missing since 1982. His captors have not permitted Zachary, nor myself, to speak or write to each other. Nobody knows where he is.
What has been helpful to me, though, is that Israel and Israelis are very sympathetic to the families whose relatives have died from war and terrorism. There have been many. But most of all, they empathize with the families of the missing. I have felt their deep emotion through their singular looks of horror and by the words frozen in their throats.
It has been over eleven [ed. note: sixteen] years since I have seen my son. I do not know with any certainty if he is alive or dead. The countries or organizations that are illegally holding our son have inflicted a pain and anguish upon my family that we would wish upon no one.
Our government and our people have always prided themselves on being responsible for one another. So please, for my and for Israel's long-absent sons, raise your voice to bring them home.
All of us in the Israel Defense Forces live our lives with a fear of the horrible reality of war. We try to be brave and not allow it to interfere with our operations.... But the feeling is there.
One particular fear is that of falling into the hands of one of the Arab countries or terrorist organizations, who are not known for their gentle treatment of prisoners. I shudder at the thought of one of my friends or me being forced to live in that nightmare.
There are four Israeli soldiers who are missing in action. I don't know them personally, but I feel totally frustrated that I am not able to help them. This feeling of powerlessness is so painful.
One of the fundamental tenets of Israeli military life is that if, God forbid, you are taken prisoner, your unit will do all that is humanly possible to rescue you - often at the cost of human life.
I can't help but wonder: "What are the MIAs thinking? Do they believe that we let them down, that we have not done everything possible to secure their release?"
I cannot help but feel guilty.
Perhaps the current peace process will provide the key to their release. I hope that it will. Israelis have worried enough about the battlefield and for our survival. It is time to pursue peace and bring our people home. In the meantime, I am going to make sure that as many people as possible will know the names of Ron Arad, Zachary Baumel, Yehuda Katz, and Zvi Feldman.
Israel will not forget our MIA’s.
school student
Most of my friends think that it is cool to take a stand on different issues. A lot of us are involved with clubs in school that deal with protecting the environment, fighting racism, and stuff like that.
Recently, I learned about a real tragedy. There are four Israeli soldiers who are being held hostage somewhere in Syria, Lebanon, or Iran. I have only heard about this issue a few weeks ago through my youth group.
My friends often ask me, "Why is this particular issue so important to you? Israel is so far away... and you’re not even Israeli -- you’re an American!"
It's hard for them to understand that being Jewish makes me feel connected to Israel and Israelis. There is much more to Judaism than religious rituals and beliefs. I know that I am part of a people that takes responsibility for one another and that shares a future together.
After going to Israel with my youth group, I began to see how Israel fits into my life. This experience has helped me to develop my own connection -- to Israel and to myself. The best way to describe what I have been feeling is to say that I am becoming a Zionist. This feeling leads me to want to learn more about Israel and the Jewish People.
So, when Israeli soldiers are imprisoned illegally... and when their families are suffering terribly, I feel the responsibility to speak out for them. If I don't...who will? They say, "Kol Yisrael Areivim Ze Lazeh": every one of the Jewish people is responsible for each other. Now I know what that means.
Tuesday, December 19, 2000 16:26:18