Special Report
SOLDIER AND SON
Freeing Gilad from page 11
that every Israeli parent experiences on a
day–to-day basis given the mere possibil-
ity that something like what happened to
Gilad Shalit might happen to their chil-
dren:' said Heinrich. "This film brings the
horror of this reality to life for the viewer."
Dr. Jeffrey Forman of Bloomfield Hills
also saw footage of the film.
"As a parent, the movie did a wonder-
ful job of depicting how the sacrifice all
Israeli young adults make in serving their
country and the impact it can have on
the entire family:' he said. "I don't think it
is possible to hear this story and not be
deeply touched by it."
Federation is sponsoring screenings at
the Maple Art Theatre on Wednesday, Feb.
10, at 5:30 and 7:45 p.m. The cost is an $18
minimum pledge to Federation's Annual
Campaign. Pre-registration is online and
required.
Pross and Goren will answer questions
after each viewing, but Pross answered
questions by e-mail about the film:
How did you come up with the idea
for the film?
"Tal and I are old friends in Israel. The
encounter with the Shalit family started
in 2008, when we met them for the first
time when I produced an event in London
called 'Walking for Gilad' to raise aware-
ness for the family overseas.
"During this process, we both became
very close to the family and learned how
different they are to what they seemed on
television. Their story seemed so impor-
tant, so intrinsic to Israeli society, one that
reflects the most frightening threat to any
Israeli mother or father who sends their
Ultimate
Dilemma
Shalit's possible
exchange for
prisoners summons
deep emotions.
12
February 4 • 2010
Film producers Tamar Pross and Goren
Noam and Aviva Shalit with filmmaker Tal Goren in New York for the Parade for Israel
son or daughter to the National Service.
"We met with Noam Shalit and asked
him what would happen the day Gilad
came home? Could they ever share with
him the long struggle they had endured to
release him.
"Both Noam and Aviva agreed that not
only it would be impossible to tell this
story, but they also were not sure anyone
would have the strength to do it. That's
when we asked them if they would let us
come in their home and try. They agreed
to do it, but at that point, no one knew
how it would end.
"We started this project to create a
L
ike so many Israelis, reflecting on
the predicament of Gilad Shalit
and the myriad implications of
a prisoner exchange between Israel and
Hamas arouses so many visceral emo-
tions. It is an issue here in Israel that
people agonize deeply about and are likely
thankful they are not part of the decision-
making process to resolve it.
I am a mother of two sons — one in
his third year of service on a naval mis-
sile boat and the other is poised to be
inducted in less than two months. It
goes without saying that I fully expect
the Israel Defense Forces, and the Israeli
government in whose name it acts, to be
steadfastly committed to exhausting every
effort to bring home soldiers who fall into
enemy hands in the line of duty.
Indeed, it is precisely this commit-
ment of the collective to the welfare of
the individual soldier that facilitates both
a sense of social solidarity as well as the
movie for Gilad and a movie that is docu-
menting what we believe to be an impor-
tant part of Israeli history"
How long did the film project take?
We spent over a year documenting the
family closely: following the family in
their home, to strategic meetings, world
travels, etc. Tal, who directed the film, then
spent several months editing the film with
our Emmy award-winning editor, Tor Ben
Mayor. The movie was released on Israel's
Channel 10 in December in a special
prime-time TV night."
How helpful was the Shalit family?
"The family was extremely helpful. It was
a slow process of gaining their trust and
friendship. At first, they were not comfort-
able with having a camera in their home
environment, something that has never
been done before. As time went by, they
became used to us and our camera, and
our relationship with them deepened. The
intimacy we created with them was so
important for us to tell their story in the
most honest, modest and truthful manner,
to show who they really are as opposed to
their characters portrayed in the media."
motivation of our youth to serve
also involve the release
their country fully cognizant of
of hundreds of convicted
the risks involved. I have always
Palestinian terrorists.
believed that herein lies the
And so, this is our ulti-
strength of Israeli society and
mate dilemma. Should we
the key to our resolve in the face
do everything in our power
of constant threat and terror.
to redeem a prisoner of our
However, it is clear to most
own, while recognizing that
Israelis that this very internal
in
doing so, we will be releas-
Tova D orfman
strength can paradoxically result
ing
hundreds of Palestinian
Special to the
in our being extremely vulner-
terrorists
dedicated to our
Jewish News
able. Israel's enemies, mindful of
collective destruction and to
our commitment to "bring every soldier
adding ever more Israelis to the list of vic-
home — no mater what:' have cynically
tims of terror and violence?
exploited this to seek the release of those
The mother in me cannot but empathize
who have committed some of the worst
with Noam and Aviva Shalit, and can only
terrorist atrocities in recent memory and,
imagine what I'd do in their place if, God
ostensibly, have every intention of con-
forbid, it was my son being held captive in
tinuing to do so.
Gaza for 3 1/2 years by Hamas. On the other
It is quite clear from all of the reports
hand, the responsible citizen in me can-
and leaks over the past few months that
not overlook the horrific ramifications of
any prisoner exchange with Hamas to
releasing so many murderers bent on wag-
secure the release of Gilad Shalit will
ing more and more terror against Israel's