THE MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR BAT-CHEN SHAHAK

ON THE TENTH ANNIVERSARY OF HER MURDER

AND IN HONOR OF HER 25^TH BIRTHDAY

March 4, 2006

Tel Mond

By Tali Lipkin Shahak

We don't count birthdays for people who have died.  Thus, this is no merry celebration—certainly not for a girl who would now be celebrating her 25^th birthday had she not have been murdered on her 15^th birthday.  Right on her birthday!  We also don't celebrate or mark the publishing of books which they wrote before their death-- so this can't be a joyful celebration to mark the publishing of a new book written by a young woman who was murdered when she was 15 in the middle of the city of Tel Aviv.

This gathering is in the memory of Bat-Chen Shahak, in commemoration of ten years since she was murdered and in honor of her book and the wonderful things she wrote until she was 15. 

One can only wonder what she could have done if she hadn't been taken from us.  We can emphasize a bright future, living amongst family and friends who loved her---all point to a shiny future for Bat-Chen—but we were all robbed of this.

On the day Bat-Chen was murdered, 12 other people were also murdered at Dizengoff Center in Tel Aviv.  The date of the terrorist attack fell right before the "International Women's Day"—March 8.  Bat-Chen, as we perceive her through her writings and drawings and special notations in her songs for people close and dear to her---encompassed the qualities of a young, modern woman, still youthful; but wrote as a confident adult who was willing to wonder and hesitate and ask difficult philosophical questions about life, love of man, justice while searching for peace.  She was willing to give and receive new ideas. She was willing to accept he other. She was talented and creative. Bat Chen was a bud that was to grow into a field of flowers.   But this was not meant to be.  We are left with her writings.

Once, I asked Bat-Chen's mother, Ayelet, if they ever regretted or felt awkward about invading Bat-Chen's privacy, about "exposing her' and her internal and private world after discovering the treasured diaries.  After all, they had chosen to share them with the world.  Ayelet explained that there had been a discussion about that and it had been solved simply---once one read the writings of Bat-Chen it becomes clear why.  Bat-Chen herself wrote, among other things, that "I have decided that writing a journal will be a lovely souvenir about my childhood…and maybe, one day it will be published in the newspaper, who knows?"    That very idea was indeed written in  blood…..It was as though she knew that perhaps, one day, she would be in the forefront, in the headline as a leader, paving roads in her lifetime—which she indeed did after her death.

Bat-Chen, though her life was cut short, exemplifies the young, involved. caring, creative and contributing Israeli.  Bat-Chen also represents the Israeli tragedy.  In the way she was murdered. In that place and at that time. The hate and horror which was so evident.  The way her life became a witness and a legacy which is now focused and pointed at erasing the hate and horror which lead to her death.

The dead have no vote—no right or place to agree or disagree.  They have no place to even respond.  However, Bat-Chen did not leave behind her a black hole of hurt.---Bat Chen left behind her road signs and marks for the journey.  She spread pebbles to mark the landmarks and places which signify the importance of understanding and togetherness, of peace and forgiveness and reconciliation.

May her memory be blessed.  Bat Chen who believed.  May her beliefs and hope also be blessed.

Thank you for your courage to continue and to continue believing.

Thank you for this hope.