On Recollection & Belonging - The Ammunition Hill Myth
For the last 10 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 international worthy site, while seeking & 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, 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 & 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 & the State of Israel.
Daddy, Now I Know - The symbolic climb of the Kilimanjaro
In the early 60's, Rami Wald had become one of Israel's first unofficial backpackers, constantly fulfilling his dream of conquering the world's highest summits.
Against all odds and with inadequate hiking gear, he successfully climbed Montblanc, Mt. Fuji;
and when he was sent as an IDF specialist to assist in building the Imperial Army of Haile Selassie in Ethiopia,
he successfully made the climb to the peak of Mt. Kilimanjaro.
His dream and most impressive achievements were brought to an abrupt halt in 1967; when he was killed-in-action fighting for the Liberation of Jerusalem during the Six-Day War.
Fifty-seven years later, his son, Alon, wanting to see the same sunrise his father had witnessed with his own eyes, led a symbolic expedition of family, friends, and paratroopers up to the peak of the mountain.
The "Ascending the Flag Time Capsule" & "JerusaLENS" initiatives
The 50th anniversary of the Reunification of Jerusalem, followed by Israel's 70th Independence Day,
inspired two incredibly meaningful projects, with both a national and an international significance.
Ammunition Hill searched and found the most unique way to portray the symbols of a nation (the eternal capital and the national flag) to the widest possible crowd through two collective efforts. These projects feature millions of participants from Israel and all around the globe, gaining the support of many Zionist and Governmental sponsors.
Alon Wald, who initiated them both, did not even imagine the long lasting and magical effect these campaigns would have.
Alon Wald
Ammunition Hill, National Heritage Center
Israel
English, Hebrew
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.
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.