14 THE JEWISH LEADER, MAY 5, 2017 ira specTor 50 years later reunion of trio Niantic - Ira Spector, 81, passed away surrounded by his family on April 29, 2017, following an illness. By Times of Israel Staff and sweaty, our uniforms were dusty and He was born and raised in the Bronx, N.Y. by his par- The David Rubinger photograph of three bloodied, but when we walked down the stairs ents, Samuel and Lillian Spector. He graduated from paratroopers standing in silent awe in front of and saw the stones of the , a lot of CCNY with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineer- the recaptured Western Wall after the battle for the guys started crying. ing. He went on to join the Air Force where he became a - “It was an extraordinary thing, it’s hard to 2nd Class Airman and worked in Air Force Intelligence. describe,” Karasenti said. On return from his military career, he started his own JerusalemIsrael’s history. in 1967 has become the defining im It wasn’t until after the war was over that the photography business doing weddings, Bar/Bat Mitz- age of one of the most significant moments in three men realized the picture of them taken by vahs and portraits. For the past 15 years, he worked in legendary photographer Rubinger had become Obituaries sales at Gorin’s Furniture. famous worldwide. His loves were playing trumpet, amateur radio and “After the war, my neighbor who was a new spending time with family. immigrant from Poland, came running out to He is survived by his former wife, Susan Gallant show me that my photo was in the Polish news- - papers. I was shocked,” said Yifat. netka, Ill., Jonathan (Anna) of Harbin, China, Serena (Alan) of “We did become a symbol of our strength,” (Gil); children, Shana and Tyler of Waterford, Beth (Jeff) of Win Yifat said. was predeceased by his sisters, Phyllis and Bobby. Karasenti said he too was surprised to see BuffaloWe would Grove, like Ill.; to grandchildren,thank John Ronski, Joshua, Libie Jordyn and Roband Attwater,Jared. Ira it on the front page of the Haaretz daily the fol- and Rabbi Carl Astor for all their love and support. We would The iconic Rubinger photo of the three paratroop- lowing week. ers at the recaptured Western Wall in June 1967 “I showed it to my girlfriend at the time, from Dana Farber Cancer Center in Water- (Courtesy Rubinger/ Collection) I couldn’t believe it, I told her ‘look, someone alsoford likefor keepingto thank himDr. Hellman in such andgood his spirits staff took our picture!’” With the 50th anniversary of the Six Day War To many, the 50th anniversary of Israel’s vic- thank you to the hospice nurses and aides approaching, Zion Karasenti, Haim Oshri, and tory in the Six Day War — in which Israel cap- duringfor their such wonderful a difficult care time. and support. Also, a huge Dr. Itizik Yifat returned to the this week tured the , Gaza Strip, Golan Heights The funeral service was conducted May to remember the moment. and the –is a bittersweet one. It 1 at the Thomas L. Neilan & Sons Funeral Karasenti, Oshri, and Yifat described to Chan- represents half a century since the Old City and Home, New London. Interment followed in nel 2 News how they, as 20-something reserve other historic Jewish sites returned to Jewish - duty soldiers, inadvertently became the symbol hands, but also half a century of Israeli military ers, memorial contributions may be direct- rule over the Palestinians. ed to the Center for HospiceBeth El Care, Cemetery, 227 Dunham Groton. St.,In lieuNorwich, of flow CT “There were snipers everywhere, especially Asked about the dual nature of the jubilee, 06360. offrom a nation overhead. fulfilling They a 2,000-yearcould have dream.thrown a gre- the men appear to be as divided as Israeli so- Condolences may be shared with the Spector family on Ira’s ciety. memorial page at www.neilanfuneralhome.com. of the battle for the holy site. “There is something to be said for that [call- nade on us and finished us,” Karasenti recalled ing the image the start of the tragedy of the state of Israel] Yifat said. “I don’t believe that DAVID INSLER we should be ruling over another nation.” Boynton Beach, FL David Insler a resident of Boynton Beach “How can you say that as an Israeli who for the past 3 years formerly of East Lyme, CT, passed away on fought for something after 2,000 years of long- April 10, 2017 in Boynton Beach, FL. ing?” Karasenti shot back. “We returned the He was born in New Haven, CT 88 years ago. He graduated heart of the Jewish people to this land.” from Cheshire Academy in the Class of 1948. He was a men’s Retorted Yifat: “What am I supposed to tell clothing rep for Foxwoods Resort Casino in Ledyard, CT. He was my grandchildren? That there will be war every the electronics CT regional manager for Caldor’s Dept. Store for year?” 28 years. He was pre-deceased by his parents Leon & Toni Insler and men, now in their 70s, say they have remained his brother Bernard Insler. He was the beloved husband of Re- From L to R, Haim Oshri, Dr. Itzik Yifat and Zion closeDespite friends their over political the years. differences, the three nay Insler for the past 25 years; loving father of Stephen Insler, Karasenti stand in front of the Western Wall in As Karasenti, Oshri, and Yifat approached Cheryl (Roland) Ross, Marilyn Insler, Stephen (Amy) May and April 2017, 50 years after the three former para- the wall to take a picture this week, a passerby troopers were resonantly photographed at the stopped the three to thank them. and brother of Florence Insler. holy site by David Rubinger immediately after “All of the people that are here right now are JeffreyContributions (Mati) May. in Cherishedhis memory grandfather may be made of Tobin to the & AmericanMissy Ross, its capture in the Six Day War. (screen capture: only here because of you,” this man said. “It’s Cancer Society of your choice. Channel 2) you, and all of the other soldiers who fought then. This is all thanks to your courage and Since none of them had ever been to the your faith. So again, thank you so much.” Remember to send in your subscription Western Wall, which had been under Jordanian - body was sure they had even captured the “real The finest in printing rulething.” since 1948, they admitted that, at first, no “Everyone talked about the Kotel [Western Wall] all the time, but we were new and we had COPY CATS any of us had ever been there,” Oshri said. neverAt the been time, there. there That was day only was a narrow the first corri time- Call for a quote 136 Sachem Street dor separating the Western Wall of the Temple Memorial Norwich CT 06360 Mount from the nearby houses and buildings of 458 Williams St., 860-889-2374 the Old City. New London Fax 860-886-2396 over the Western Wall, that was our sign,” Kara- 442-8424 senti“When said. they [our colleagues] raised the flag www/copycatsnl.com “After the 48 hours of battle, we were tired