By Jerry Klinger
DALYAT AL CARMEL, Israel — On Sunday night, in the largest Druze city in Israel, Dalyat al Carmel, a first occurred. The Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation (JASHP) donated a sculpture, the Flame of Friendship, to the community and all of Israel’s Druze citizens.
The Druze of Israel, an ethnic Arab community, have been allied to Israel since the birth of the State in 1948 in what Israelis and the Druze together call a “Covenant of Blood.” The Druze serve in the IDF, in Israel’s political, societal, and economic life as equals. The Druze are particularly recognized as key members of the Israeli police and especially the Border Police. Some have paid the ultimate price.
In all the years of close association, Israel has never given the Druze a gift of simple appreciative commonality.
When JASHP first proposed the gift to Mayor of Dalyat Rafik Halabi, he was astonished and deeply moved.
Mayor Halabi offered JASHP one of the city’s most prominent and public traffic circles for siting. The Mayor wanted the gift to be very public, an expression of Dalyat’s appreciation.
The Flame of Friendship stands over 20′ in height, its multi-luminescent sides simulate a flame in bright colors pointing to the heavens.
The sculpture is the creative work of noted Israeli sculptor Sam Philipe. Sam is a fifth-generation Jerusalem based sculptor. His works are widely recognized domestically and internationally. JASHP is fortunate to have been able to work with him on numerous projects.
The opportunity to say thank you, give a special gift of friendship to friends and not want anything back, is important. It is not done enough.
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Jerry Klinger – President of the Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation, www.JASHP.org.
Jerry, you are a true hero. You exemplify all that all religions and philosiphers say shows a very good man. This idea for the tribute and thanks is a wonderful idea. I can see that it will effect many people and create good in many ways.
Israel Drazin
Kol ha kovod, Jerry! What a thoughtful expression of gratitude for a long-lasting (and unique) relationship.
I was fortunate to have gone to Israel to serve in the 1973 Yom Kippur War and as a Thank You the IDF gave me a weeks stay in Eilat. I travelled from Zahala near Tel Aviv by bus. We stopped south of Beersheva where a Druze guard got on our bus and escorted us through Scorpion Pass. He single handily and bravely defended us along with one off duty reservist. I was fresh out of 2 tours to ‘nam and was very impressed. They can not be Thanked enough ever since the dark days of 1948. May God bless.
Mazel Tov on this long overdue appreciation.
Beautiful, long overdue!
What a wonderful tribute and a beautiful sculpture by Sam. Congratulations and thank you Jerry for all your wonderful and meaningful projects!