This is the seventh year that the Aharit Hayamim festival is taking place in Old Massuot Yitzchak in Gush Etzion. This place has significant meaning for our family. Our grandparents, Yoni and Rachel Doron were a part of the group that established the community in 1945.

On 5 Iyar, 1948 – the evening of the Israeli Declaration of Independence – after several years of settlement, Gush Etzion was captured by the Jordanian Arab Legion. Many of the men and a few women – including Grandpa who was the "Sliker" (weapon hider) and Grandma who was the signal operator – were taken captive by the Jordanians.

In May, 1949, a few months after they were freed, the community of New Massuot Yitzchak was established near Ashkelon. Our mother Edna was born in the new location, where she met our father Emil, in whose memory this festival is taking place.

The family – our grandparents, uncles, and cousins – still live in New Massuot Yitzchak. After several years our father and mother came back to Gush Etzion, to Elazar, where mother lives till today.