65 people filled Chabad of Orange County, NY, on Tuesday, September 20, for a special evening with IDF commando Sassy Reuven commemorating 40 years since Operation Thunderbolt – the Raid on Entebbe.
Sassy, who was an elite commander and was second commando on the ground during the raid on Entebbe July 4th 1976, told his fascinating first-hand account how Israel pulled off one of the most daring and successful hostage rescue raids ever.
at Entebbe Airport in Uganda after an Air France plane on its way from Tel Aviv had been hijacked by terrorists.
“As we mark the 40th anniversary of this daring rescue, we reflect on his story which is Israel’s story: of courage, endurance, defiance and a willingness to sacrifice it all for the right to live in your homeland in freedom,” said Rabbi Pesach Burston who runs Chabad of Orange Country with his wife Chana.
The evening was dedicated to the Israel Defense Force and to the good health of Chabad president Gil Goetz. The evening was made possible by all the attended as the event sponsors: Jack and Suzy Berkowitz, Gil and Phyllis Goetz, Henry and Samira Galler, Ira and Karen Kanis, Jim Rogers and Mitch and Gladys Wenzel.
Chabad received positive feedback from the community, including these words from Samira Galler: “Can’t thank you enough for an evening filled with wonder, pride and a glimpse of the brave and incredibly well trained soldiers of Israel.”
At the conclusion of the event, Mr. Reuven was excited to meet Orange County resident Iris Geller who is a first cousin of Lt. Col. Yonatan Netanyahu, (brother of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu), who was killed during Operation Entebbe—the only IDF fatality during the operation.
Video: Miracle at Entebbe:
At the 40th anniversary of the miraculous raid at Entebbe, a 6 minute synopsis of the most daring hostage rescue in history and a testament to the courage and determination of the IDF. Produced by Sydenham Shul, Johannesburg South Africa
