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On Tuesday, 23 Menachem Av 5774 three ambucycles were donated to Ichud (United) Hatzalah in memory of the three kedoshim, Gilad Shaar, Naftali Frenkel and Eyal Yifrach HY”D. The ceremony was held at the very hitchhiking post they were kidnapped from on the eve of 15 Sivan, in Gush Etzion.

Also present at the ceremony were Ichud Hatzalah leaders along with Tel Aviv Chief Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau Shlita. Mrs. Rachel Frenkel told participants the three ambucycles will be serving the area and she feels it is a most appropriate way to perpetuate the memories of their sons. She explained the two-wheeled motorized vehicles will rush to assist others as did their sons, who also tried to do good whenever possible.

The three ambucycles were donated by the Chicago Jewish community headed by American businessman Jeff Aeder. On the day the bodies of the three were discovered near Halhul the Chicago community decided to act, to do something to perpetuate their memories. Jeff Shimon Aeder is best known for his Kosher BBQ restaurant ‘Milt’s BBQ,’ in Chicago. With the discovery of bodies of the boys, the members of the Chicago Jewish community were moved to commemorate the murdered teenagers.

A modest ceremony was held on Monday for the families in Nof Ayalon. Rav Lau was present along with the members of the family and representatives of the Chicago community.

“Jeff Aeder’s generosity memorializes the boys and will help save future lives,” said United Hatzalah president and founder Eli Beer. “Their memories will encourage us to act for the sake of others, to save lives and improve public health in Israel.”

Rav Lau commented that 11 years earlier, on 22 Menachem Av, a bus bombing attack occurred on an Egged Number 2 bus in Yerushalayim. Twenty-two people were killed in that attack, including seven children. “If the ambucycles were available then, perhaps additional lives could have been saved” he added.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem / Photos: Moshe Assulin)