KKL-JNF Dedicates Outdoor Exercise Area in Memory of Hila Betzaleli.
KKL-JNF dedicated outdoor exercise area in Sataf Springs, in memory of Lieutenant Hila Betzaleli, who was killed while rehearsing for an Independence Day ceremony at Mt. Herzl last year. The new exercise area in Sataf, an ancient agricultural area popular with Israelis, is a perfect tribute to Hila, who was full of life, and loved nature and sport.
"Sataf is Hila, it symbolizes everything beautiful in Israel. Hila loved nature and the land, this is the perfect place to remember her. Sometimes life hits you like a sudden storm on a clear day, and when that happens, you know that nothing will ever be the same again. Gestures like this give us the strength to go on." Sigalit Betzaleli, Hila's mother, was speaking at a ceremony that took place on Wednesday, November 27, dedicating an outdoor exercise area at KKL-JNF's Sataf Springssite in the Judaen Hills. The audience included family, friends and soldiers who served with Hila.
L-R: Sigalit and Yaron Betzaleli, with KKL-JNF's Meir Spiegler,
at the newly unveiled memorial for their daughter Hila Z"L. Photo: KKL-JNF Photo Archive
Lieutenant Hila Bezaleli served as an IDF officer in the Medical Division of the Jordan Valley Brigade until her tragic death on April 18, 2012. Hila had dreamed of becoming a doctor, and since she was one of the most outstanding medics in the army, she was chosen to participate in the Independence Day ceremonies at Mount Herzl. On that fateful day on Mount Herzl, during preparations for the ceremony, a faulty light fixture snapped and fell, killing Hila and injuring many others.
Sigalit spoke straight from her heart: "A few days after Hila was so senselessly killed, there was a ceremony in her memory on Mount Herzl, and when it was over, someone I never met before came up to me and introduced himself as KKL-JNF World Chairman Efi Stenzler. He said that he wanted to do something to commemorate Hila. We didn't have to do anything, KKL-JNF took care of everything. There isn't so much light in our lives now, but the many kind people who embrace us from every direction are like beacons of light for us."
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 Left: Sigalit Betzaleli, mother of Hila. Right: The newly inaugurated outdoor exercise area in memory of Hila. Photos: Tania Susskind |
KKL-JNF Director General Meir Spiegler said that KKL-JNF decided to commemorate Hila at one of its most-visited sites. "Sataf is a nature site, and nature is eternal - it was here, it is here and it will be here. It is an honor for KKL-JNF to be a partner to remembering such a unique person, and I can assure you that we will make certain that this site will always be a maintained in a manner that honors Hila," Spiegler concluded.
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The ancient agricultural site of Sataf, which has been reconstructed and cared for by Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund over past years with the help of its friends from many different countries, is located in the heart of a forest that begins southwest of Jerusalem and climbs up to Mt. Eitan from the Nahal Sorek streambed.
The location of the ancient agricultural terraces, fruit tree orchards and springs that flow the entire year, have made Sataf into a favorite recreation and leisure spot for Israelis, and it attracts thousands of visitors, primarily on weekends, but also during the week. The site includes a many elements of historical, agricultural, settlement, geological, and biological value.
Yoram Shimon, the newly-elected head of the Mate Yehudah Regional Council, said that Hila, who lived in Mevasseret Tziyon, was killed when she was about to realize a dream – "to participate in the Independence Day ceremony, a dream that turned into a tragedy. Hila played basketball, loved swimming and worked out here, at Mount Eitan, in order to be in shape for her upcoming officers' course, so there really couldn't be a better place or way to remember her."
Shalom Eisner, outgoing deputy commander of the IDF Jordan Valley brigade, recalled that his father had said that there were three things that determine how a person lives their lives – "the person, the place and the time. Sataf is the perfect place, with its view of Mount Herzl and the many trees around it. Hila is like a tree that was cut down in its prime. The time is the holiday ofHannukah, when we light candles, just like Hila was a candle of hope."
The ceremony, which was conducted by KKL-JNF Director of the Israel Fundraising Department Michael Ben Abu, concluded with the a KKL-JNF honorary certificate to Hila's parents, Sigalit and Yaron.
The location of the ancient agricultural terraces, fruit tree orchards and springs that flow the entire year, have made Sataf into a favorite recreation and leisure spot for Israelis, and it attracts thousands of visitors, primarily on weekends, but also during the week. The site includes a many elements of historical, agricultural, settlement, geological, and biological value.
Yoram Shimon, the newly-elected head of the Mate Yehudah Regional Council, said that Hila, who lived in Mevasseret Tziyon, was killed when she was about to realize a dream – "to participate in the Independence Day ceremony, a dream that turned into a tragedy. Hila played basketball, loved swimming and worked out here, at Mount Eitan, in order to be in shape for her upcoming officers' course, so there really couldn't be a better place or way to remember her."
Shalom Eisner, outgoing deputy commander of the IDF Jordan Valley brigade, recalled that his father had said that there were three things that determine how a person lives their lives – "the person, the place and the time. Sataf is the perfect place, with its view of Mount Herzl and the many trees around it. Hila is like a tree that was cut down in its prime. The time is the holiday ofHannukah, when we light candles, just like Hila was a candle of hope."
The ceremony, which was conducted by KKL-JNF Director of the Israel Fundraising Department Michael Ben Abu, concluded with the a KKL-JNF honorary certificate to Hila's parents, Sigalit and Yaron.
