A Change of Perspective - Elite Commandos Come To Town

When Ariel Siegelman and Major Guy Meadan landed in Los Angeles last week, they were certain they were here to raise funds for their elite reserve Special Forces Paratrooper Brigade of the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces). They were invited to speak at an event for the Children of Jewish Holocaust Survivors at the Luxe Hotel. Over two hundred people would attend this event and they had been requested to speak from a political point of view.

I had met Ariel two years ago when I produced a video for the Aish L.A. Banquet called "A Miracle In Gaza" (watch it here). I have established a relationship with Ariel and his family over the years. On my last visit to Eretz Israel he introduced me to his commander Guy Meadan. They took me to a training camp where I was instructed on how to use an M16. This gave me a tremendous awe and respect for the extraordinary men and women that are battling to defend our land, our liberty and our country.

Before the Los Angeles event took place, Ariel and Guy asked me to sit with them and help them strategically plan for the event. What should they talk about? Was it politics as was requested? Lebanon, Gaza, flotilla?

They had brought with them a film that documented a day by day, hour by hour drama of preparation and execution of their military operations. It gave the viewer a perspective of going into combat, their lives, the loved ones they were leaving behind and their commitment to the state and the people of Israel. Once I saw this film it became evident to me what direction they needed to take. These men were not politicians. They were front line defenders for the Jewish people and their personal stories were much more compelling and important than any political statement.

So what did we do? I recommended that they show the film and I gave them an outline point by point for their evening's presentation. We decided that after a short introduction, they would share their personal experience, show the film, and then conduct an open discussion about what it was like to be an Israeli commando and how this affects their lives and their families, giving everyone a personal experience of what it is like to go into combat in real time.

The direction that we took was exactly what the audience was thirsty for and it became evident to Guy and Ariel that they were not here just to fund-raise, but to be holy ambassadors, to raise awareness about the incredible challenges of being on the front lines defending the Jewish nation.