Vivian Grossman of Weston dedicated a plaque in honor of a fallen Israeli solider that was recently unveiled during a ceremony that she participated in at Ammunition Hill in Israel...

1. Plaque dedicated in memory of fallen Israeli
soldier
Weston resident Vivian Grossman, far right, recently participated in a ceremony at Ammunition Hill in Israel to unveil
a plaque she dedicated in memory of Hadar Goldin, a fallen IDF soldier. (COURTESY)
By Sergio Carmona Contact Reporter
Vivian Grossman of Weston dedicated a plaque in honor of a fallen Israeli
solider that was recently unveiled during a ceremony that she participated in
at Ammunition Hill in Israel.
The plaque, dedicated in memory of Hadar Goldin, a lieutenant in the Givati
Brigade of the Israel Defense Forces who was killed in 2014
by Hamas terrorists two hours after a cease-fire was declared in Operation
Protective Edge in Gaza, was placed at Ammunition Hill's Wall of Honor, a
Jewish National Fund initiative that pays tribute to the heroism and courage

2. of Jewish soldiers who, throughout history, have fought in defense of the
countries in which they lived.
The recent ceremony at Ammunition Hill, which is the site of a Six-Day War
battle in 1967 that made possible the reunification of Jerusalem, was held in
the presence of Goldin's family, Israeli politician Ze'ev Elkin, United States
Ambassador to Israel David Friedman, Deputy Supreme Court President to
Israel Elyakim Rubinstein and other invited guests. Grossman described the
ceremony as "amazing."
"It was incredibly warm and beautiful," Grossman continued. "The family is
really special. They're really positive, lovely and very intelligent people. He
was a very special young man and the reason that we thought it was important
to honor him there was because he fought with courage, he was a hero and the
world should never forget what this family has been through."
The terrorists who killed Goldin dragged his body through an underground
tunnel deep into Gaza and, at press time, his body has not been returned to
Israel and his family.
"We believe no soldier is ever left behind and it's our obligation to do all we
can to support this family and encourage people to be aware that Hadar needs
to be brought home," Grossman said.
Grossman has been working with the Goldin family to bring awareness to their
plight and they thought it would be a great idea to honor him at the
Ammunition Hill's Wall of Honor. The family reached out to her to help with
the social media awareness campaign, facebook.com/bring.hadar.home.
"I've been working with the family for probably the past six months and I've
grown to respect and admire them despite all that they have been through and
how difficult this has been," Grossman said. "They are people of the most
utmost integrity, they bring such a positive outlook to a grim situation and I've

3. grown to admire them tremendously and thought this was a way to make sure
that the world will never forget what this family has been through."
Goldin's parents Leah and Simcha Goldin praised Grossman and her efforts.
"She is a great person and she's part of our team that works hard to bring
awareness, mainly on social networks," Leah said. "The most inspiring thing
that Vivian brings is her love. She comes up with ideas like a photo essay done
about us that was just published in the Jerusalem Post and the activities she
suggests are outstanding as they are simple, meaningful and raise awareness.
We love Vivian very much."
Grossman discussed the impact Goldin's story has had on her.
"It's made me reflect on family values and on values within Israel as there are
so many different sides to a story there. Everything is complicated and nothing
is as simple as it appears. People who simplify anything going on in Israel
really miss the point. It's a very layered situation and you really have to try and
keep saying, 'This family has been through so much difficulty and they just try
very hard to keep focused on their goal."
Grossman sits on JNF's national board, is the organization's national
chairperson of its social media committee and is the co-chair of the Nefesh
B'Nefesh Task Force. She is a lifelong Zionist.
"I've always loved Israel and I've always been involved in some way, some
times in my life stronger than others, but once my son had his bar mitzvah, I
looked at my legacy and really wanted to make a difference," Grossman said.
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