By Jodi Bodner

NEW YORK—Jews are known the world over for their contributions to medicine, arts and sciences, culture, the economy, and politics. But what of their contributions to their countries’ military? Outside of the Israel Defense Forces, they are virtually unknown.

To show the world Jews' courage, heroism, and sacrifice through their contributions to armed forces throughout the world and throughout time, and to raise $5 million for the expansion, renovation and maintenance of the battle site and museum at Ammunition Hill in Jerusalem -- site of the 1967 battle that was the key to the reunification of Jerusalem -- Jewish National Fund (JNF) is building a wall of honor on the hill.

Families and friends will have the opportunity to honor a Jewish soldier who served or serves in the military of any country by purchasing a plaque in the wall that will list the soldier’s name, country, rank, dates of service, and unit, if available. Plaques are $5,000. The wall will be unveiled and dedicated on the 40th anniversary of the battle: May 16, 2007 . Donors are invited to attend the ceremonies.

The project is co-chaired by JNF Board members Marc Leibowitz of Scotch Plains, NJ; and David Margules of Wilmington, DE.

According to the Jewish War Veterans, the percentage of Jewish soldiers who fought in the American Armed Forces in WWI was 4.22% when Jews comprised only 0.95% of the total population. During WWII, 50% of American Jewish males between the ages of 18-40 fought in the war. Other statistics show similar commitment.

Dr. Stanley Wolf, Lt. JG, 1st Marine Division, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines Navy, July 1948-Mar, 1951 Korea , is the first Jewish American soldier to be honored at Ammunition Hill, with the purchase of a plaque by his children and sister. Recipient of the Bronze Star for “heroism under fire” on the front at Weejumbu, he treated hundreds of casualties from battle and severe frostbite injuries, as Marines and Army were surrounded and overrun by the Chinese at Chosin Reservoir.

“The more we learned about my father’s wartime experience,” said Dr. Melinda Wolf, “the more pride we felt in him as a soldier dedicated to serving his country. JNF’s commitment to develop a world class museum on Ammunition Hill will restore in all Jews around the world, the connection to our brothers and sisters in Israel , and rekindle the pride that exploded in every Jew after the ’67 war.” 

The only one in his family in Vienna to obtain an affidavit to come to the U.S., 16-year-old Harry Weiss left Austria in 1938, only to be detained in an internment camp outside Paris for over a year. (During this time his parents and sister were able to emigrate to Argentina.) Finally arriving in New York in 1940, he worked until being drafted into the U.S. Army following the attack on Pearl Harbor. He served proudly the country that had offered him safety against the land of his childhood which had disavowed him. Weiss landed at Normandy on June 9, D-Day plus 3, where, in response to a bullhorn request for someone fluent in French, he became aide to a colonel. Remaining in Europe for the duration of the war, he concluded his army service with the War Crimes investigator at Dachau.

“Where better to place a wall of honor like this than at the symbol of the reunification of Jerusalem ,” said JNF Chief Executive Officer Russell F. Robinson. “It is for anyone who is still alive or who perished; who served in war or in peace; who fought in the Revolutionary War, the Civil War or the Red Army. Jews even fought for countries from which they were later expelled. We need to be proud of these accomplishments and show them off for all the world to see.”

Ammunition Hill holds great significance in the annals of the formation of the modern Jewish State. In the 1930s, the British built a police academy in north Jerusalem and stored ammunition on the adjacent hill, which came to be known as Ammunition Hill. In the 1948 war, the Jordanians captured the site and Jewish Jerusalem was split in two. The hill, on high ground, sat at a crossroads and was thus the centerpiece of defense. Heavily fortified with dozens of trenches terraced into the hill, it was an intimidating obstacle to overcome.

Early in the morning of June 6, 1967 , believing they outnumbered the Jordanians by 3 to 1 based on erroneous intelligence, about 150 Israeli paratroopers attacked the hill. In fact, the Jordanians numbered 150. Fierce hand-to-hand combat ensued with stories of personal heroism and sacrifice in abundance. By 8 a.m. , the hill was Israel ’s but not without sustaining losses -- 36 were killed, 90 wounded. Seventy-one Jordanians died in the battle,

But on June 7, 1967 , when the words “har habayit beyadenu," “the Temple Mount is in our hands,” were uttered, a 2000-year-old dream came true. With the Kotel as the prize, Ammunition Hill was the price.

Today, millions of people visit the Hill, but with the addition of this Wall of Honor and expanded museum, it will become a must-see on every itinerary. The plaques, to be seen by all, will be in a wall that stands behind the amphitheater, and will be written in Hebrew and English, uniting all servicemen, no matter their country of service, to their Jewish heritage.

The project is considered a national heritage project by the Israeli government.

For information, visit www.jnf.org/ammunition_hill_wall or call 888-JNF-0099.

Bodner is director of communications for the Jewish National Fund in New York City.