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Harvey Tannenbaum a resident of Efrat, is the owner of , a full service concierge business for tourists and travelers in Israel. Tannenbaum immigrated to Israel from Los Angeles in 1994. He can be reached at
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By Harvey Tannenbaum
August 17, 2006
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Only 10 days ago, this IDF officer of the Maglan special forces was leading his troops in South Lebanon, killing as many Hizbollah terrorists as possible. Tonight, the stars were seen from our chairs at the chupa [wedding canopy] of his wedding. We arrived as the Kallah [bride] began her walk down to her Chatan [groom], an officer and a gentleman.
The hundreds of guests assembled during the chupa continued their chair-hopping for the arriving soldiers from South Lebanon. The soldiers were rushing to make it on time for their officer's chupa. At some weddings, the younger visitors would rise for the senior citizens to sit. Tonight, the seniors were standing to give up their seats for the arriving Maglan soldiers of the IDF. Chaim was still with his 20-day old beard. Moshe was limping with a sand crusted M16. David another IDF soldier had not eaten a full meal in days.
The music began its processional theme as the entire crowd watched the arriving soldiers in their fatigues waiting for Chatan to say his vow: "If I Forget Thee Jerusalem..." They stood a minute of silence in honor of their fellow soldiers who were killed last week. The officer and gentleman stared in love at his bride under the chupa, under the stars. As the babies in the audience of guests at this wedding began to cry for Mommy and feeding time, others began to cry as the soldiers held hands and embraced shoulders during the chupa.
The officer, tonight's groom continued to stare and watch his bride. It was only 10 days ago that he and his unit were in battle 24/7 in South Lebanon. The story was being told and spread by the guests that this officer had killed over 10 terrorists, only 10 days before tonight's wedding.
We danced around the groom, an officer and gentleman together with his soldiers who had only returned 1-3 hours before chupa from South Lebanon. A soldier now in a wheelchair for life was lifted by his fellow troops to 'dance' with his officer. He was supposed to have been "Best Man'' to 'walk down' in front of the Chatan. Now he was carried by his comrades, his brothers in arms.
The Life and Simcha of a wedding tonight in Israel of an officer and gentleman with his kallah, together to start a new home in a homeland.
A couple more reasons why the enemy will never win.
Mazal tov, T&E!
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