| SHLOMO, AN UNSUNG HERO AMONGST HEROES Memoirs by Eva (Jerusalem - October/November 2000) |
| I vividly remember a day in November 2000 when Shlomo, an elderly Jewish shopkeeper, waved my friend and me to come inside his shop. "Come in! Come in!", he said in a soft, yet authoritative voice. "Come in and see my copper work!" Both my friend and I were moved by his genuine hospitality. "Stay right here," Shlomo said, "while I go and make us some good Israeli coffee." And that's exactly what we did. We stayed and talked and drank his wonderful coffee, impressed by his beautiful, intricately designed work. We stayed, but only for a little while. Soon, my friend and I heard a great commotion coming from the outside. We'd noticed several people running, including shouting policemen. To our surprise, a bomb was detonated about 100 feet from where we were located. After the explosion occurred, Shlomo briskly collected our coffee cups, then said, "O.K., O.K., you can leave now." In all my life, I'd never experienced such care and concern for my welfare as I did that day. May G-D continue to bless and protect this precious man for watching over two perfect strangers. This is the Israel that the majority of the world either doesn't know or doesn't care to see. This is the Israel that I have grown to love, appreciate, and support. Thank you, Shlomo, from the bottom of my heart! You are, to me, an unsung hero amongst heroes. |