July 20, 2021
A Parachute Jump Took Place as Part of the “Lightning of the Heavens” Commemorative Expedition in Slovenia in Memory of the Jewish Paratroopers from the Land of Israel
An international joint parachute jump and commemorative expedition took place in Slovenia, Croatia, and Hungary in memory of the Jewish Paratroopers from the Land of Israel and on the 100th anniversary of the birth of the first Jewish female paratrooper, the late Hanna Senesh z”l.
The reenactment of the historical parachute jump was performed at the Cerklje airport in Slovenia, close to the site of the original jump. The joint jump was split into two parts due to the weather. In the first part, eight IDF paratroopers jumped from a height of 12,000 feet. This part included several rounds of jumps, and included paratroopers from four other countries: Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia and the UK. The second part of the jump was carried out this morning (Tuesday) during which 100 members of the “Lightning of the Heavens'' commemorative expedition jumped, including the Commander of JCOM and Commandant of the Military Colleges, MG Itay Veruv, Commander of the Paratroopers' Brigade, COL Yuval Gez, and paratroopers from both regular and reserve duty. The second joint parachute jump was carried out from a height of 1,000 feet, followed by a day-long expedition following the partisans' journey through Croatia.
After the joint parachute jump, participants of the “Lightning of the Heavens” commemorative expedition marched on the heroic path the Jewish Paratroopers from the Land of Israel, including the late Hannah Senesh z"l, walked, going through partisan forests near the towns of Draga and Šmit.
The reenactment of the historical parachute jump was performed at the Cerklje airport in Slovenia, close to the site of the original jump. The joint jump was split into two parts due to the weather. In the first part, eight IDF paratroopers jumped from a height of 12,000 feet. This part included several rounds of jumps, and included paratroopers from four other countries: Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia and the UK. The second part of the jump was carried out this morning (Tuesday) during which 100 members of the “Lightning of the Heavens'' commemorative expedition jumped, including the Commander of JCOM and Commandant of the Military Colleges, MG Itay Veruv, Commander of the Paratroopers' Brigade, COL Yuval Gez, and paratroopers from both regular and reserve duty. The second joint parachute jump was carried out from a height of 1,000 feet, followed by a day-long expedition following the partisans' journey through Croatia.
After the joint parachute jump, participants of the “Lightning of the Heavens” commemorative expedition marched on the heroic path the Jewish Paratroopers from the Land of Israel, including the late Hannah Senesh z"l, walked, going through partisan forests near the towns of Draga and Šmit.
Coinciding with the first parachute drop, a military ceremony was held in the paratroopers' section of Mount Herzl in the presence of former 101st Battalion Commander, Colonel (Res.) Boaz Amidror, commanders and fighters of the Paratroopers Brigade. In addition, a memorial service was held to mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of the late Hannah Senesh z"l as well as a heritage education day at the Hannah Senesh Museum in Kibbutz Sdot Yam. The assembly was chaired by the President of Israel, Mr. Isaac Herzog. In attendance were the chairman of the Hannah Senesh organization; former Commander of the Paratroopers Brigade, MG (Res.) Yitzhak "Jerry" Gershon; Chairman of the Council for the Preservation of Sites; MG. (Res.) Ori Orr; the Senesh family; Head of the regional council, Mr. Asif Izak; members of Kibbutz Sdot Yam and other participants.
At the end of the joint parachute jump today, a ceremony was held during which unique parachutist wings were distributed to participants. The wings symbolized the “Lightning of the Heavens” commemorative expedition, displaying an image of a parachute below a cloud and a bolt of lightning to commemorate the poetry of the late Hannah Senesh z"l, "A Walk to Caesarea":
“God – may there be no end
To sea, to sand,
Water's splash,
Lightning's flash,
The prayer of man.”
Tomorrow (Wednesday), a monument will be erected in memory of the paratroopers of the settlement who fought bravely and courageously during World War II in the city of Čakovec. The monument will be erected in the first prison where the late Hannah Senesh z”l was held.
The last day of the trip (Thursday) will focus on Hungarian Jewry and a meeting with the local Jewish community. The journey will be concluded with a ceremony at the grave of the late Hannah Senesh z”l, in the cemetery in Kozma, Hungary. A coinciding ceremony will be held at The Beit Hatfutsot Museum of the Jewish People in Israel.
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