It’s hard enough to bear the loss of a child. The pain is magnified when there is no final resting place, no closure. Professor Simha and Dr. Leah Goldin have been living with the pain of losing their son Hadar, H”YD, since 2014 when, as a soldier in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), he was captured during Operation Protective Edge in Gaza. A ceasefire had been negotiated. Hostilities should have stopped. But contrary to all rules of engagement, Hamas snatched Hadar into a tunnel from which he never returned. He was declared “killed in action” by the IDF.
On October 6, at 8:30 p.m., the Goldins will speak at Congregation Ahavath Torah (CAT) in Englewood about their efforts to bring his remains back to Israel, and present “Hadar—The Freedom to Create,” a film Dr. Goldin made focusing on how their family prepared an exhibit of Hadar’s artwork a year after he was captured and killed. “We want people to learn about Hadar, to see his humanity,” Dr. Goldin said in a Skype interview from her home in Kfar Saba, Israel. “He represents the new Israeli soldier. I present him through his artwork; he was very artistic. The film gives another point of view of the Israeli soldier.” Dr. Goldin was the director and videographer for the film and worked with a professional editor.
The Goldins come to the U.S. every six months to try to persuade the U.S. and the international community to use their power and influence to secure Hadar’s remains. A meeting at the UN is on their schedule for this visit. “Hamas is a strong violator of international law; they violated a ceasefire,” she said emphatically. “It was Kerry (then-Secretary of State John Kerry) and Moon (Ban Ki-moon, then-Secretary General of the UN) who brokered the ceasefire. The international community has a responsibility to bring Hadar home. It’s about values, the dignity of burial according to all religions.”
Dr. Goldin said they were unable to meet with the Obama administration but in February 2017, they met with Nikki Haley, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. The following December, a special UN security council meeting was held to discuss the problem. Professor Irwin Cotler, former minister of justice in Canada and noted human rights attorney who is representing the family pro bono, built and presented a legal case, showing that Hamas and the Palestinian Authority are accountable for Hadar and Oron Shaul, another Israeli soldier Hamas captured, killed and has not returned. Cotler concluded that Hamas and the PA are in a standing violation of international humanitarian law and have to return Hadar immediately and unconditionally. The Goldins have also met with David Friedman, U.S. ambassador to Israel, and Jason Greenblatt, U.S. special representative for international negotiations, who have promised to get involved. Buoyed by the administration’s success in releasing hostages in North Korea, Dr. Goldin is hopeful there will be a breakthrough soon.
The Goldins are meeting with members of Jewish communities in the U.S. to ask them to reach out to influential diplomats and legislators and encourage them to help bring Hadar home. “We need Am Yisrael to help us approach leaders; it will make us stronger,” Dr. Goldin said.
The Goldins’ talk is a joint presentation of CAT and the Israel American Council (IAC). The IAC has 17 locations in the U.S., with a mission to connect Israelis with Jewish Americans. Irene Gottesman, co-chair of CAT’s Israel Engagement Committee along with Aviva Banner, said she has developed a strong relationship with Arielle Friedman-Elad, project manager for community leadership and engagement, and other leaders of the IAC’s office at the JCC in Tenafly. “Arielle thought Ahavath Torah would be a great place for the Goldins to speak while they are visiting the U.S. and we’re thrilled to be given that privilege,” Gottesman said. “The Goldin family is extraordinary; they made the ultimate sacrifice. The Englewood community is very advocacy-oriented. If there’s something we can do to help the Goldins, the community would like to know about it.”
By Bracha Schwartz
