By Jerry Klinger
OFAKIM, Israel –The Ofakim Lion, a joint project of the Jewish American Society and the City of Ofakim, was sited on Wednesday May 14.
“On October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorists burst from Gaza, slaughtering all they encountered. Ofakim was attacked. 47 innocent, unsuspecting civilians were murdered. Using only a few small arms, Ofakim citizens fought back like Lions, holding off the bloodthirsty, heavily armed terrorists until help arrived hours later.
Ofakim’s heroic resistance helped prevent Hamas from reaching other communities.
The Lion of Ofakim is the largest in the Middle East. It is the first major interpretive memorial project of a Gaza area community impacted by the horrors of that day.
The Lion is the artistic interpretive work of noted Jerusalem sculptor and artist Sam Philipe.
Over the next few months, major landscaping will be added. An October 7, 2025, dedication is anticipated.
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Jerry Klinger is the founding president of the Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation.