Greatly inspired by a visit ten years ago to Ammunition Hill, a JNF-USA Heritage Site and the location of the epic victory which led to the reunification of Jerusalem, Addison Shuster wanted to support a place that honored Jewish veterans. He began by buying a plaque to honor his father. “I had a number of uncles who served in WWII and Korea, and heard their war stories, so I always had admiration for those who served,” Shuster said. “I also honored my mentor, a best friend’s father, and some Israeli soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice.” Shuster went on to buy a dozen more plaques for the Wall of Honor, which serves as a tribute to the heroism and courage of Jewish soldiers who, throughout our history, have fought in defense of the countries in which they lived. To honor a veteran with a Wall of Honor memorial plaque, go to jnf.org/ammunitionhill. Proceeds from the purchase of plaques benefit the various JNF-USA projects at Ammunition Hill.
Among the nearly 550 names on the Wall of Honor of Jewish people who served with armed forces all over the world, there are 15 plaques honoring women who served. One of these women, Rachel Ettel Travish, was one of the first Jewish women from Palestine to become an officer in the British Army. Born in Tel Aviv, Rachel was educated in Palestine during the British Mandate. She joined the British army in 1942 and served in the Middle East, primarily in Egypt, until 1945. The following year, she married Dr. Cyril Crystal, who was a medical officer in the British army. They are both recognized with memorial plaques on the Wall of Honor. “Ammunition Hill is one of the most important memorials in the world to Jewish personnel who have served in the Armed Forces anywhere in the world,” said Michael Crystal, Rachel’s son. “It is a great honor [that Rachel is commemorated there] and one which we are sure she would have much appreciated.”
U.S. Air Force 1st Lieutenant, Roslyn Schulte, is also honored at Ammunition Hill. The first female graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy to be killed by enemy action, Lt. Schulte served in military intelligence in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. “She felt she was making a difference on the Afghanistan community by teaching them to be self-reliant intelligence officers and helping out at orphanages,” said her father, Robert Schulte. Lt. Schulte was posthumously awarded the National Intelligence Medal for Valor, making her the first female recipient. “Wise beyond her 25 years” she was “respected as a leader by all those around her---from general to Airman to Afghan tribal leader—regardless of the branch of service, regardless of nationality,” Dennis Blair, the director of National Intelligence, said.
Probably the best-known female Jewish hero whose name appears on the Wall of Honor is Hannah Szenes. During World War II, she was recruited from Palestine to parachute into Yugoslavia to assist the forces fighting the Nazis and to rescue Hungarian Jews about to be deported to Auschwitz. Arrested at the Hungarian border, she was imprisoned, and despite being tortured, refused to reveal details of her mission. Ultimately, she was executed by firing squad. Her memory lives on though in her poetry. Perhaps her most well-known poem is Eli Eli, which was put to music and has been sung by countless singers.
More than fifteen years ago, JNF began helping to turn this “meaningful national heritage site into a world-class must-see attraction,” according to Alon Wald, Head of Operations for Ammunition Hill. JNF’s assistance in the development and renovation of the site has included the creation of the new Ammunition Hill Museum; reconstruction of the battlefield; Memorial Hall, which commemorates all 182 soldiers who fell in Jerusalem during the Six Day War and the Wall of Honor.
Ammunition Hill is just one of more than 150 Heritage Sites in Israel that JNF-USA supports. JNF-USA is committed to making sure that the history of the land and people of Israel is preserved for today's generation and those to come. These heritage sites—some dating back to ancient times, some to Israel’s rebirth during the first Zionist settlement in the 1800’s and others to its 1948 War of Independence—are powerful symbols which are critical for understanding Israel for both Israelis and tourists alike. To learn more about Ammunition Hill or to honor a veteran with a Wall of Honor memorial plaque, click here.
Written by Betsy Rosenthal, Co-Chair WFI Chai Society, LA and children’s book author, and Penny Bustin, PhD Chair of WFI Greater Washington