Shabbat Morning Service with JNF's Major Alon Wald

We are honored to welcome Major Alon Wald of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and representative of the Jewish National Fund (JNF) to share his story as the curator for the Jerusalem historical site, Ammunition Hill. Major Wald's life work began with his father's untimely death at Ammunition Hill during the Six-Day War. He will share his family's incredible story of loss, remembering, and strength through the important work he is doing at Ammunition Hill. The topic of his sermon will be Veshshet Yamim Taase Melacha: The Six-Day War Through the Eyes of a Six-Year-Old Boy.

About Alan Wald

Alon Wald is the Head of Operations at Ammunition Hill, National Heritage Center. He is the son of Captain Rami Wald z"l, who fought in the 55th Paratroopers Brigade in Jerusalem during the Six-Day War and was killed in action while leading the paratroopers into Ammunition Hill. Alon served his country as an officer in several Elite IDF units, the Israeli Secret Service (Shabak), and oversaw security operations in Israeli Embassies and aviation services around the world. He is now married to Iris and has three amazing daughters.

Representing the second generation, the "Torch Bearers," Alon dedicates his life to keeping the legacy of the Liberators of Jerusalem and among them, the memory of his father, alive. For the last ten years, Alon has been involved on a daily basis in the ongoing operations of Ammunition Hill. During those years, Ammunition Hill has evolved into an internationally worthy site, while seeking and finding multi-layered, creative, and inspiring ways to present the legacy of the Liberation of Jerusalem. And while doing so, seeking and focusing on the widest common denominator of our nation — the core human values.

Alon describes in his lectures his lifetime experience of serving his nation and his lifetime efforts to know and understand his father: a carpenter, a husband, and a proud father to a 10-month-old baby. An IDF reservist of the Paratrooper Brigade who left his wife and son in June 1967 for the greater good, and for the survival of his nation. Alon shares in his lectures the questions, insights, and efforts to belong and be worthy of such an epic legacy; and the many meaningful and powerful closures he has reached throughout his journey in a most intimate way.

In his lecture, Alon blends the personal aspect of his story with the military and national aspect of it, and in doing so, collects the sources of core values that were carved forever during the epic battles of the liberation of Jerusalem, and offers them back to his audience. Comradery and bravery, loyalty and commitment to your nation, leadership, volunteering, persistence, and more are explained and shared in the most relevant way. They are used as an educative source of inspiration, as a bonding link between generations, and between the Jewish and non-Jewish people all over the globe and the state of Israel.