INS Eilat

​A collection of moving letters written, in Hebrew, by students of the "Yavne" elementary school in LA to Minister of Defense Moshe Dayan, following the sinking of INS Eilat

The destroyer, INS Eilat, served in the Israeli navy from 1956, and was sunk on October 21, 1967, with many lives lost, at approximately 17:30, along the Sinai shore, by missiles fired from Egyptian ships.

The letters were sent by Mr. Zeev Hilman, an Israeli teacher working in the USA. In his own letter to Dayan, he wrote that "our class is very well aware of events in Israel… the sinking of INS Eilat was a great shock to our students, who came to a decision to donate from their personal savings for the purchase of a new ship, and to share their feelings and thoughts with you in the form of letters. With the letters, the students sent some money for Israel to replace Eilat with a new destroyer. In his/her letter each student specified his exact contribution. Debora Frau wrote: "Me and my class decided to collect money, to help our brothers in Eretz Israel. I am sending money to participate in the purchase of a new ship to defend our shores. I know it is not much money, but I don't have more now." Sara Shefer wrote: "I am only 11 years old, I can only pray for the peace of Israel. I am sending one dollar from my savings, to help with purchasing a new ship." Shalom Linderman wrote: "I give money for a new destroyer. I know I cannot cover the whole cost, so I give as much as I can."

In their letters, the students express their wish to join the IDF, but not yet, due to their age. Shoshana Grunberger writes: "I am sending money to buy a new ship, because I cannot be a soldier." Katriel Temshepsko writes: "I cannot fight with you because I am not yet barmitzva." Esther Treck writes: "I have many cousins in the IDF… But I am only 10.5 and cannot yet fight.

The students express their wishes to immigrate to Israel. Haim Mendel writes: "I am too young to immigrate to the Holy Land. I will when I am older. Shlomith Azulai wrote: "I wish to come to Israel – I have already been there three times – to study at the Hebrew University. I love Israel very much, and when I grow up I wish to be a good Israeli citizen."

The students write about their great interest in what happens in Israel, and express their sadness about the sinking of Eilat and the death of its personnel. Malka Kovner relates: "When I heard about the beginning of the war I wished to cry. I was glued to the television and radio news programs. I also read much in the newspapers. Thank God we overcame the en​emy, but now they sunk a ship of ours with many young men dead."

Moshe Dayan, Minister of Defense, read the letters and wrote back: "Your teacher, Mr. Zeev Hilman, delivered your lovely letters, written in Hebrew, and your small contribution to increase the power of our navy. I thank you, dear children, for the letters and contributions, and I wish you a success in your studies. Yours truly, Moshe Dayan, Minister of Defense."