Heroes' History, Heroes' Future: Guiding the Armored Corps in Jerusalem

Oct. 2025

Today was not a typical day of guiding. Today, I had the immense honor and privilege to lead a company of IDF Armored Corps soldiers who had just completed a grueling period on the front lines in Gaza. They were brought to Jerusalem for a couple of days of crucial R&R (Rest and Recreation) and reflective sessions, a necessary decompression after the intensity of war.

The tour I led in was hosted by the Menachem Begin Heritage Center, an institution dedicated to preserving the legacy of Israel’s sixth Prime Minister. My mission was to connect these courageous young men and women to the historical and ethical roots of their own service, providing them with perspective, pride, and motivation drawn from the heroes of the past.

The Ethos of Unity and Sacrifice

Our day began in the Center's auditorium, where the entire battalion heard a powerful lecture from an Etzel veteran. The central theme was Begin’s philosophy of unity within the Jewish people - a message especially resonant for soldiers who rely on absolute cohesion under fire.

As we left the center, standing on the very ground where history continues to unfold, I pointed out the site of the failed assassination attempt on Temple Mount activist Rabbi Yehuda Glick in October 2014. Rabbi Glick miraculously survived the Islamic Jihad attack and went on to become a Member of Knesset. This story served as an immediate, real-world lesson: the struggle for our heritage and capital is ongoing, but resilience and determination can turn tragedy into political impact.

From Walled City to Modern Metropolis

Our walking tour took us to a pivotal point in Jerusalem's growth: the long, distinctive one-story building built by Sir Moses Montefiore in 1860. This was Mishkenot Sha’ananim, the first Jewish neighborhood constructed outside the cramped, suffocating walls of the Old City.

We paused to discuss the incredibly harsh conditions the Jewish community endured within the walls at that time. I described Montefiore’s immense efforts and philanthropic initiatives, not just building this neighborhood, but the carriage that carried him on many perilous journeys to assist poor Jewish communities in North Africa, Russia, and Syria. The soldiers saw that the pre Zionist spirit was one of compassion, calculated risk, and practical aid - a foundation for the modern state.

Just outside, we observed Montefiore's wind-powered flour mill and his iconic carriage. This reinforced the image of a leader who was both a dreamer and a pragmatic engineer, dedicated to improving the lives of his people through ingenuity and resources.

The Price of Rebellion: A Legacy of Heroes

Our next major stop was the majestic King David Hotel. This allowed us to pivot from the pioneers of the 19th century to the fighters of the 20th. We discussed the Egyptian-Jewish Moseri family who built this structure in the early 1930s, establishing it as the most luxurious hotel in Jerusalem during the British Mandate.

The soldiers were captivated by the story of the Hebrew Rebellion Front of 1946. This was a rare joint command that united the three Jewish underground movements: the Haganah, Etzel, and Lechi. We spoke about how this unified command assigned the monumental task of blowing up the British Command Center that was housed within the hotel. It was a sophisticated, dangerous operation that marked a decisive turning point in the fight for independence.

Finally, we reached the area of the Old Train Station, a site heavy with the memory of sacrifice. Here, we spoke about Meir Feinstein and Moshe Barazani. In October 1946, Feinstein, alongside other members of the underground, attacked the train station. He was severely wounded, captured by the British, and ultimately sentenced to the gallows together with Moshe Barzani of Lechi.

This brought the tour full circle, connecting back to the initial lecture on Menachem Begin. I shared that Begin’s final, humbling request was to be buried alongside these two Jewish national heroes on the Mount of Olives, recognizing their supreme sacrifice for the nation's freedom. This selfless act of unity and respect served as the ultimate historical lesson.

Connecting Past Courage to Present Duty

It was a profound honor for me to be able to guide these courageous young men and women of the Israeli Defense Force. In Gaza, they were making history; in Jerusalem, they walked through it. My aim was to teach them about the history and heritage of Israel’s heroes so they could draw strength and motivation from our rich, unbroken story.

Their service is the continuation of Montefiore's vision, the fighters of the 1940s' rebellion, and Begin's ethos of Jewish unity. They are the latest link in a chain of determination and sacrifice that ensures the Jewish state endures.