Honoring a Hero

For Addison Shuster, supporting Ammunition Hill has never been just about preserving history. It is about ensuring that acts of courage, sacrifice, and service are never forgotten.

A longtime philanthropist and president of Jewish National Fund-USA's Palm Beach Board of Directors, Shuster recently sponsored a commemorative plaque at Jerusalem's Ammunition Hill honoring Israel Police hero Ran "Rani" Gvili (z''l), who was killed defending civilians during the October 7 attacks in southern Israel and, in January 2026, became the final hostage returned from Hamas captivity.  

Months before the dedication, Shuster had read about Gvili’s family and their connection to Jewish National Fund-USA. Gvili’s parents, Itzik and Talik, were the contractors who helped build the Sderot Indoor Recreation Center, a fortified indoor playground in southern Israel. When the playground opened in 2009, Ran Gvili—then a young boy—visited Sderot to “test” the slides, swings, and soccer field himself.

Fourteen years later, on October 7, 2023, Gvili, who had become a member of the elite police YASAM unit, was killed while defending civilians from Hamas terrorists.

Gvili’s story of Jewish courage, sacrifice, and dedication to the land and people of Israel resonated deeply with Shuster. "Adding his name to the Wall of Honor felt like a very meaningful thing to do," Shuster says.

^{The commemorative plaque honoring Ran Gvili z"l on the Wall of Honor.}

^{From top, the Hebrew inscription reads: Sergeant First Class; Ran/Rani Gvili; Meitar, Israel; Golani - IDF / YASAM Negev - Israel Police; 2018-2026}

The dedication for Gvili marks the 15th plaque Shuster has sponsored on the Wall of Honor at Ammunition Hill in Jerusalem. A living memorial, the Wall of Honor pays tribute to Jewish soldiers and veterans, preserving the stories behind each name etched into its plaques. It has held special significance for Shuster since his first visit to Israel with Jewish National Fund-USA in 2012.

Before that trip, Shuster had never visited Israel. Touring the country and learning about Jewish National Fund-USA's work transformed his connection to the Jewish homeland. "Seeing the various projects the organization does in Israel really impacted me," he recalls. "It transformed my Zionism."

Ammunition Hill, the site of the historic battle that led to the reunification of Jerusalem during the Six-Day War in 1967, was one of the most memorable stops on that first journey to Israel. Walking through the trenches preserved by Jewish National Fund-USA, hearing stories of soldiers who knowingly advanced under fire, and seeing the names of Jewish veterans commemorated on the Wall of Honor left a lasting impression on Shuster. 

"That experience really struck me,” Shuster says. “I knew it was a place I wanted to support.”

His first plaque honored his father, Dr. Samuel Shuster, a World War II veteran and physician. Over the years, he added plaques recognizing his father-in-law, uncles, other relatives, friends, and Israeli soldiers, reflecting the deep respect for military service that shaped his upbringing.

"I grew up in a household where I heard a lot of stories about World War II from my relatives: the 'greatest generation,'" he says. "When I visited Ammunition Hill, it all clicked. It gave me a way to honor their service and contribution."

For Shuster, honoring Gvili continues that tradition while connecting past generations of Jewish service members to today's defenders of the land and people of Israel. He hopes visitors who see Gvili's name on the Wall of Honor will pause to reflect on both his sacrifice and the resilience demonstrated in the aftermath of October 7. 

"For the first time in history, Jews are seen as warriors in Israel," he says. "I think Jewish people are very proud of the fact that we can defend ourselves now. That we rely on ourselves."

As he continues to support Ammunition Hill, Shuster hopes others will consider honoring loved ones who served, whether their heroism was recognized publicly or expressed through quiet acts of duty and sacrifice.

"Some were heroes, and some simply served—but all contributed," Shuster reflects. "Recognizing their service on the Wall of Honor is a way to honor their patriotism and ensure their stories are remembered."

^{Addison Shuster (left) and Marjorie Shuster (right) at the Wall of Honor, standing before plaques honoring Addison’s father and uncle, and Marjorie’s father}

Details regarding an unveiling ceremony for the plaque will be announced at a later date.

To learn more about Ammunition Hill and how you can honor a Jewish soldier or veteran on the Wall of Honor, visit jnf.org/ammunitionhill