Before taking a break for Rosh HaShanah (I’ll be back on Thursday), I can’t help but wonder: Do Israel’s seven MIAs know that a new year is upon us?
Zach Baumel: Born, November 17, 1960 in Brooklyn. His family moved to Israel when he was 10. Disappeared in Lebanon on June 11, 1982 during the Battle of Sultan Yakoub as did Zvi Feldman and Yehuda Katz. This is the 26th Rosh HaShanah without Baumel.
Tzvi Feldman: Born, December 29, 1956 in Tel Aviv. Was contemplating marrying his girlfriend after the Lebanon War. Disappeared in Lebanon on June 11, 1982 during the Battle of Sultan Yakoub, as did Yehuda Katz and Zach Baumel. This is the 26th Rosh HaShanah without Feldman.
Yehuda Katz: Born, July 18, 1959 in Ramat Gan. The child of Holocaust survivors. Disappeared in Lebanon on June 11, 1982 during the Battle of Sultan Yakoub, as did Zach Baumel and Tzvi Feldman. This is the 26th Rosh HaShanah without Katz.
Ron Arad: Born May 5, 1958. Studied chemical engineering at the Technion. Was navigator on an an plane shot down near Sidon on October 16, 1986. He was captured by the Shiite Amal and held captive by Mustafa Dirani. Dirani is believed to have “sold” Arad to the Iranian Revolutionary Guards. Last contact from Arad was in 1987 when his wife, Tami, received letters and a photo. This is the 22nd Rosh HaShanah without Arad.
Guy Hever: Born, May 30, 1977, in Tel Aviv. Grew up in Kochav Yair and a voracious reader of science-fiction. Disappeared on August 17, 1997, after spending a day with his parents. Last seen at the Katzabiya junction, a mere one km from the Syrian border. This is the 11th Rosh HaShanah without Hever.
Majdi Halabi: Birthdate unavailable. A Druze, Halabi grew up in Daliat al-Carmel, near Haifa. He was five months into basic training when he disappeared May 24, 2005. He was last seen after visiting home, trying to hitchhike a ride back to his base in Tirat Carmel. This is the fourth Ramadan without Halabi.
Gilad Shalit: Born, August 28, 1986, grew up in the Galilee community of Mitzpe Hilla. Enjoys math and playing basketball. Helped parents run a bed and breakfast during breaks from the army. Was abducted on June 25, 2006 when gunmen from the Popular Resistance Committee tunneled under the Gaza border near the Kerem Shalom crossing. The only sign of life came in June, 2007, when Hamas released a tape recording sending greetings and mentioning deteriorating health. This is the third Rosh HaShanah without Shalit.
May Israel’s seven missing sons be restored to their families in peace, safety and health this year.
