Posted on 04/17/2007 7:03:09 AM PDT by meg88
Israeli professor murdered as he saved students at Vriginia Tech shootings Source: Jerusalem Post
As Jews worldwide honored on Monday the memory of those who were murdered in the Holocaust, a 75-year-old survivor sacrificed his life to save his students in Monday’s shooting at Virginia Tech college that left 32 dead and over two dozen wounded.
Professor Liviu Librescu, 76, threw himself in front of the shooter, who had attempted to enter his classroom. The Israeli mechanics and engineering lecturer was shot to death, "but all the students lived - because of him," Virginia Tech student Asael Arad - also an Israeli - told Army Radio.
Several of Librescu’s other students sent e-mails to his wife, Marlena, telling of how he blocked the gunman’s way and saved their lives, said the son, Joe.
"My father blocked the doorway with his body and asked the students to flee," Joe Librescu said in a telephone interview from his home outside of Tel Aviv. "Students started opening windows and jumping out."
Liviu Librescu, was respected in his field, his son said.
"His work was his life in a sense," said Joe. "That was a good place for him to practice his research."
The couple immigrated to Israel from Romania in 1978 and then moved to Virginia in 1986 for his sabbatical, but had stayed since then, Joe told Army Radio.
When they came for the Jews, I said nothing. When they came for the communists, I remained silent . . . (I forget the whole thing)
When the time came for the students in that classroom, this Holocaust Survivor knew what to do.
He is a hero and deserves the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Maybe I will email the WH and suggest it.
This story brings tears to my eyes. I work for an Orthodox Jew. I love him to pieces and would do anything for him.
God Bless him!!!! There is NO greater love, than the man who lays his life down for a friend.
G-d saved this man once so he could save others at another time and place.
Prayers for him and his loved ones.
Agreed!
Is me or what but does that dude look like Godfather 2 Miami mobster Hyman Roth just little a bit
Thanks to the press, 99% of the population knows the name of "Cindy Sheehan", but 99% can't name any heroes in Iraq.
Also a professor from India died protecting the students.
I heard there was a third professor also. Anyone know for sure?
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May God bless Liviu Librescu.
May his bravery serve as an inspiration for others.
Sincere and profound condolences to the good people of the United States from us here in Israel.
Your tears are ours.
As someone else has commented, odd that none of the boys stayed behind to help him. On the other hand, they have been trained to be passive in the academic environment.
God Bless this true hero. “Greater love than no man has then to lay down his life for his friends.” In this case, his students.
If he had been teaching in Israel, would he have been armed?
IMHO, This will become more of a focus in the following days.
It's about time, though unfortunate it takes an event such as this to highlight the liberalism of education.
Needs repeating!
Just speculating, but since most college students today are women maybe the first thought was to get the women to safety rather than confront the killer. Or maybe, it was every man for him/herself.
The days of chivalry died long ago. I'm afraid it was the latter.
That is a wonderful idea. What a brave man! May he rest in peace.
God’s mission is our mission, this wonderful man fulfilled his. Apparently God saved him for this purpose, to save the students in that room.
All of the students in that room should be asking themselves about their own mission, God’s mission for them, and I truly hope they do.
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