Who Will Commemorate Asher Itzkowitz?

The state of Israel maintains a memorial site for those who fell in the effort to reestablish the state and realize the Zionist vision.

The earliest victim of Arab terror is Asher Hershler who was killed in Jerusalem, chasing Arab robbers who sought to steal his money from his home in Mishkenot Sha'ananim.  He was murdered in January 1873.  Actually, the true first recognized Arab terror victim is Avraham Shlomo Zalman Tzoref and the details of his end are:

Tzoref was the main person instrumental in getting the local Pasha to issue a decree forgiving the Ashkenazim the debts of the students of Rabbi Yehuda haChasìd, and restoring to them the ruin we know as the Hurva.  known as Dir Shachnan. The Arabs who had built shops there were forced to restore the site to the Jews in return for compensation, after which Jews of Jerusalem built there the Beit Midrash named Menachem Zion.

After one attempt to kill him, another attempt by an Arab to kill him succeeded:

His assailants struck him on the head with a sword. "One night, close to sunrise, when Tzoref was making his way to the vatikin [early morning] prayer services as was his wont, murderers attacked him from behind, and struck him on the head with a sword, until he fell wallowing in his own blood. Jews who were also heading to prayers, found him in a pool of blood and while he was still alive, brought him back to his home." As a result of that sword strike, Tzoref lost his memory. He lived for another three months and then died. as he was on his way to sunrise prayers by sneaking up behind him and hitting him on the head with a sword. For months Tzoref was bedridden and lost his memory. Only on his last day on earth did his memory return, whereupon he asked all his family and friends to gather so he could bid them farewell.  Tzoref died in Jerusalem on 19 Elul, September 15, 1851 and was buried on the slopes of the Mount of Olives.

His son Mordechai was one of the yishuv’s agricultural and industrial pioneers, and Mordechai’s son, Rabbi Yoel Moshe Solomon, was one of the founders of Petach Tikva.

But if you search for a Asher Itzkowitz, you won't find him.  That is, unless you you review the Palestine Post online archives for the month of April 1947:

Yes, Asher Itzkowitz, barely a year in the country was attacked by a fanatical mob of Muslims, "lynched" is the contemporary term, and killed. The date of his death is 21 Nissan, April 11, 1947.

There is no memorial to him.  There should be.

Who will work to include his name among those who fell to Arab terror?

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Odd Numbers

I found this claim in this article:

Palestinian terrorism -- in homes, schools, restaurants and buses; on airplanes, streets and beaches -- ravaged Israel for more than half a century. Between 1954 and 2006, forty-five horrific attacks killed at least ten Israelis. They reached their crescendo between 2002-4, during the Second Intifada, when suicide bombers murdered 128 bus passengers in waves of hideous slaughter.

The sources used seem to tell another version.

This one informs us of "Worst Terrorist Attacks in Israel".  So, obviously, the listing is not comprehensive.  Nevertheless, 10 seems an awufully low number.  The very first attack listed notes 11 murdered.

The second source lists over 2500 dead.

I can't figure it out.

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You Can Pray

From Rabbi Rachamim Pauli

Forwarded by Emanuel A. Winston, Mid East Analyst & Commentator

Please note not all names for prayers are the Halachic names but what is known.

Odelia Nechama bat Michal - suffered serious head injuries and is in intensive care. Her life is still in danger.

Natan Daniel ben Shulamit - a 17-year-old student who is in serious condition. He suffered massive internal injuries and has had a number of internal organs removed.

David Amoyal - David is the owner of the snack stand next to the bus stop. He told everyone to run away and then called the police, and was on the phone with them when the bomb exploded. He suffered injuries to his legs and feet and lower body. He is in moderate condition.

Sasson ben Shulamit - This is the second time Sasson has been injured in a terrorist attack in Jerusalem. He suffered lower body injuries and serious post-traumatic symptoms.

Ad Shapira - Ad is 18 years old and just about to complete high school. She suffered light orthopedic injuries and is in good condition in hospital.

Shilo ben Ofra - Shilo is 15 years old, and suffered burns and fractures to his legs and lower abdomen. He is sedated in intensive care.

Daniel ben Nurit - Daniel is 13 years old, and suffered lacerations and shrapnel injuries to his lower extremities, and is likely to be released from the hospital before Shabbat.

Elchanan ben Alona - Elchanan is 14 years old, and suffered serious injuries to his feet. One ankle and three of his toes were crushed. He has had one operation and will require more surgery. He will likely be in the hospital at least 2-3 weeks.

Netanel ben Shlomit - Netanel is 18 years old and works as a security guard at the bus station. He was injured in the abdomen had surgery. He is now recuperating in the hospital

Leah Bracha bat Shoshana Batya – is a 19-year-old seminary student. She suffered burns to her legs and arms as well as serious shock.

Please visit OneFamily’s website at http://www.onefamilyfund.org/ for more updates on the injured victims of this week’s attacks.