May 5th, 2002
Yehuda Edery, born Casablanca, Morocco 1961 to Shimon and Sa'ada Edery, came as a small child to Israel.
On the 15th of June, 2001 Lt Colonel Yehuda Edery, husband to Annette and father of their six children, was gunned down by Hassan Abu Sheireh on the main road to Gush Etzion, close to Giloh. Lt. Col. Edery had doubts about Abu Sheireh, a Palestinian, who claimed to be willing to co-operate with Israel in the name of peace. Hassan worked as the general handyman and night-watchman at a home for the aged in Giloh. Hassan who showed a different face to the elderly folk, the face of kindness. Hassan who the day before he killed Yehuda Edery had spoken to me of his hatred for Arafat and his love of Israel. Hassan who lived a fake existence was a senior member of the Tanzim, and a kiiller.
Keren Or and the New Jerusalem Foundation have built a childrens playground in Yehuda Edery's memory. It seemed most appropriate that the playground be built for the children of Giloh, the neighbourhood that he died protecting. Present at the ceremony, Mayor of Jerusalem, Ehud Olmert, Mayor of Ma'aleh Adumim, Benny Kashrieli, Anette Edery, widow of Yehuda and their children, Sa'ada and Shimon Edery, family, friends, General Aharon Ze'evi (Farkash) Head of Israels secret services, and many representatives from Lt. Colonel Ederys brigade.
Master of Ceremonies, Mr Zvi Raviv, Director General of the New Jerusalem Foundation, introduced the children of the neighbourhood, from Shoham Kindergarten, who sang three songs to open the proceedings. "The Beautiful Land of Israel", "Sisu et Yerushalyim" and "Peace will come".
Lt Colonel "Doron" spoke about the sensitive and honest man who left home a year ago and never returned. The loss of Yehuda Edery changed the lives of all who knew him.
Colonel "Poli" read from Haim Hefers poem "The Secret Warrior" which poignantly reminded us of those who work behind the scenes, without glamour and without fame. The secret warriors to whom we owe so much.
Dalia Mordechai, accompanied by Ariel Solff, sang the song "My young brother Yehuda" by Ehud Manor. Dalia is a personal friend of the Edery family. The song brought forth unabated tears as Yehudas parents sat in the front row, surrounded by family and friends yet alone in their misery.
Annette Edery, stood before the microphone, too young to be the widowed mother of six children. She spoke of the emptiness, of the disbelief that Yehuda will never walk throught their front door again. Mrs Edery thanked Mayor Olmert for his kindness, the Jerusalem Municipality departments for their efforts, Dr Jules Taieb of Keren Or, Zvi Raviv of the New Jerusalem Foundation, the brigade, especially Chico and Poli, the children of the Shoham Kindergarten and Dalia Mordechai for making the ceremony and for honouring Yehudas name.
Mayor Olmert spoke of Yehuda Edery's devotion to duty, his professionalism and the high regard in which he was held.
"Yehuda Edery was not born with a silver spoon in his mouth, his natural talents and his own brilliance took him to high levels, far higher than anyone could have dreamt from his humble beginnings. His is a story which sets a fine example to our young people. The family with 12 children lived in poverty but his parents filled the house with warmth and love that gave their children the confidence to reach for great heights. A wonderful family and a fine example, Yehuda was as proud of them as they are of him. He died, he was killed, he was murdered in defence of his country, his Jerusalem.
Yehuda Edery's story is amazing on both a personal and national level. The Israel Defence Force, and his brigade in particular, encouraged him to reach the peak of his potential. We should be proud of the IDF and their ability to recognise exceptional people.
Had we been able to speak to Yehuda in that split second before his death and asked him what he cared about most deeply, apart from his wife, family and his parents, he would have said that he was proud to be an Israeli. Proud of Israel, of his brigade and proud to defend his country.
I am proud to open this park in his name. He died so that the children who sang so beautifully in his honour can be safe. Lt Col. Yehuda Edery was a big man."
The Mayor then presented Annette, Sa'ada and Shimon Edery, Benny Borei and Lt Colonel Edery's brigade commander photographs of the park and the dedication stone.
The stone was then unveiled.