Posted on 05/02/2010 2:18:19 PM PDT by SJackson
A Jewish pilot was awarded one of the U.S. Navy’s highest honors for sacrificing his life to save his three crew mates.
Lt. Miroslav “Steve” Zilberman was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his heroism over the Arabian Sea on March 31, when he assumed manual control of an E-2C Hawkeye after it blew an engine.
He kept the plane steady and ordered his crew to eject. Zilberman, who was returning from an Afghanistan mission, was declared lost at sea three days later.
“He held the plane level for them to do so, despite nearly uncontrollable forces,” Navy Rear Adm. Philip Davidson wrote to Zilberman’s parents, emigres from Ukraine who settled in Columbus, Ohio. “His three crewmen are alive today because of his actions.”
Zilberman, who was based in Virginia Beach, Va., also is survived by his wife and two small children. He was 31.
Divestment Bills Reportedly Fail at Two Calif. Universities
The student government at the University of California, Berkeley fell a vote short in a bid to override a veto against a divestment bill.
Meanwhile, a vote early Thursday morning by the Associated Students at the University of California, San Diego reportedly was unsuccessful in passing a similar measure.
At Berkeley, 13 senators voted early Thursday morning to override the veto, with five voting to uphold it. Fourteen votes were necessary for the override.
The vote at about 4 a.m. followed a meeting that began in the evening attended by about 200 people, according to reports.
“We lost the vote, but won the night,” read a statement on the CalDivest from Apartheid Web site. “We made a statement recorded for posterity and forced everyone to listen and watch what the nature of Israeli occupation is, to listen to Palestinian voices, from Palestine and from the US, telling their stories. These transcripts will stay preserved in recorded history, and we shall overcome.”
A vote April 15 failed to overturn student government President Will Smelko’s veto of the Associated Students’ bill, which was adopted 16-4 in March. However, following several procedural votes the bill was tabled, making it available again for reconsideration.
The bill would have required divestment of students’ association assets from General Electric and United Technologies, two companies cited frequently by Israel’s detractors for complicity in alleged war crimes and perpetuating Israel’s occupation.
Four female Nobel peace laureates had sent a letter Wednesday to the Associated Students at Berkeley in support of the divestment bill.
The San Diego bill was sponsored by several campus organizations, including Students for Justice in Palestine and the Student Sustainability Collective. The resolution identifies by name General Electric and United Technologies, “companies that materially support the occupation of the Palestinian territories.”
Unlike the Berkeley measure, the San Diego resolution also condemns human rights violations around the world, though seven of the resolution’s 13 points specify Israel and its conflict with the Palestinians.
Windows Broken at Two Bay Area Jewish Stores
Two Jewish businesses in Oakland, Calif., were vandalized within two days of each other.
The front window of the Holy Land Restaurant was broken April 16, but nothing was stolen, according to oaklandlocal.com, a neighborhood blog.
Two days later, windows at the Jewish Grand Bakery also were broken, the Jweekly reported.
Police are investigating the incidents as vandalism, Lt. Kenneth Parris, the Jewish community liaison officer with the Oakland Police Department, told Jweekly last week.
There is no blatant evidence that the vandalisms are hate crimes, Parris told the newspaper, though he expressed concern about the timing of the incidents, just days before Israel Independence Day and the anniversary of Adolf Hitler’s birthday.
There are three Jewish businesses in the area. The other, a kosher supermarket, was not vandalized, nor were any other stores in the area, according to Jweekly.
The Holy Land Restaurant, opened in 1989 by Israeli immigrants, has regularly received letters protesting Israeli policies, owner Mira Levy told the blog’s writers. Levy said she and her family “are not involved in politics,” and she doesn’t understand why they should be targeted.
A second, non-kosher restaurant owned by the family in Berkeley, also called the Holy Land, has received similar threats in recent years, including a red swastika painted on its building with the word “blood” beneath it.
Levy told reporters that when her mother was deciding what to name the first restaurant, she chose Holy Land rather than a specifically Jewish name to indicate it was for all people, not just Jews.
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I wouldn't normally post this, but found it interesting in light of Jews, Muslims Clash at Wisconsin University
/johnny
Another off topic, geographically correct post.
Lt. Zilberman was soon to retire from the Navy to attend medical school. He was one of Columbus’ finest. God bless him and his family.
God bless this American patriot and all our troops.
ping
Joining in prayers for the repose of his soul, and for the consolation of his family and friends.
Why the mention of his religion in the headline? Just sincerely curious.
The E-2 doesn’t have ejection seats, that is why this Pilot had to hold it steady so the other 3 could get out. Great job by a brave guy. RIP Naval Aviator.
Amen!
“He held the plane level for them to do so, despite nearly uncontrollable forces,” Navy Rear Adm. Philip Davidson wrote to Zilberman’s parents, emigres from Ukraine who settled in Columbus, Ohio. “His three crewmen are alive today because of his actions.”
Prayers for the family and loved ones - may God hold Lt. Miroslav “Steve” Zilberman children in His love...
It’s from the Jewish Telegraph Agency. He is a true American hero, but for the thousands of former Soviet Jews who came to the US, he is much more.
May his soul rest in peace, and may perpetual light shine upon him.
Prayers for his wife and children.
He kept the plane steady and ordered his crew to eject. Zilberman, who was returning from an Afghanistan mission, was declared lost at sea three days later. <<<
A fine man, wish that I had known him.
I will never understand why the good and brave die young and the evil ones live long lives.
Ping to meet a hero.
Yes, God Bless him.
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