Meir Lixenberg

Meir Lixenberg

Murdered - August 27, 2001

Itamar Resident Murdered 

 Arutz 7 9 Elul 5671

 

Itamar Resident Buried.  Meir (Meyer) Lixenberg, 36, father of five, was murdered yesterday afternoon by Arabs on his way home from work. As his car approached his home community of Itamar, south of Shechem, shots rang out; the driver was unhurt, but drove immediately to the nearby army base when he saw that his friend had been hit in the head. Efforts to revive Meir proved fruitless. The IDF, in response, destroyed a PA paramilitary post in Kalil, between Itamar and Shechem.

Meir Lixenberg, a member of the Itamar Local Council, was buried at 3PM in his hometown, and many thousands participated in the funeral. The family and Itamar had originally wanted the procession to leave from the Prime Minister's Office, but this was canceled by army request. Itamar's Rabbi Natan Chai said during his eulogy that the IDF had advance information on the presence of the terrorist cell in one of the local Arab villages, but because of the order not to hurt civilians, whether or not they are protecting terrorists, the army did not liquidate the cell.

Rabbi Avi Ronsky of Itamar told Arutz-7 today of the great loss his community had suffered: "Michael [pronounced Micha-el] was head of security for the four Shechem-area communities here [Brachah, Itamar, Yitzhar, and Elon Moreh], and he was very involved in arranging programs for bringing families to visit and to live. This very Shabbat a large group of people is coming to us - completely arranged by Michael… We are a strong community, people here are made of rock - but this is undoubtedly a strong blow. He and his wife, who is the communal coordinator here, are among the pillars of our town. In addition, he was a very friendly, pleasant, well-liked man…

" Rabbi Ronsky did sound one positive note, however: "Families that were having a hard time of it here, in terms of security and finances, became more determined [to remain after previous violence], and new families came. I assume that this will happen again as a result of this terrible murder."

Rabbi Ronsky, a senior officer in reserves, was asked what could be done against these fatal roadside shootings. "There is much that can be done," he said. "Without going into details, we do know where these terrorists come from, and we know where their ammunition depots are. They are all in Area A [under PA control]. We have to act much more forcefully in Area A, and not just once in a while… In addition, it should be noted that in many places, much of Area B [under Israeli security control and PA administrative control] is becoming Area A, in that the army barely ever enters. This gives the terrorists more room in which to work…" He said that in many Yesha areas, the army has deployed only about 50% of the forces that really should be there.
                                                            
Meyer Licksenberg, (may Hashem avenge his blood), together with his family moved to the neighborhood when it was first established. Meyer originally came from a religious Kibbutz called Lavi. From the very beginning of his move to Itamar he was involved in every aspect of settlement life. He saw himself on a divine mission of strengthening the very fabric of life on Itamar and the whole settlement region.

PARK PROJECT AND PLAYGROUND IN MEMORY OF MEIR

The neighborhood OR-SHALEM of the settlement of Itamar was established six years ago as an eastern section about a kilometer and a half from the central part of the community. In this neighborhood today there are five families living there and very soon G-d willing three more families will be joining them.

The people of the neighborhood see themselves as messengers of the Jewish people with the important task of settling parts of the land of Israel that for the last two thousand years have been vacant of Jewish inhabitants. Therefore, in spite of the physical and security difficulties the families are determined to raise their children with happiness and remain dedicated to the Mitzvah of settling the land of Israel.


One of the first settlers, Meyer Licksenberg, (may Hashem avenge his blood), together with his family moved to the neighborhood when it was first established. Meyer originally came from a religious Kibbutz called Lavi. From the very beginning of his move to Itamar he was involved in every aspect of settlement life. He saw himself on a divine mission of strengthening the very fabric of life on Itamar and the whole settlement region.


Not long before his tragic death he was involved in bridging the gap between settlements and major cities like Haifa and Rananna. His project turned out to be very successful. Just last Shabbat we had the privilege of hosting a group of families from Haifa. Meyer was also an active member of the security forum for the Gav Hahar region. This security forum played an important role in strengthening the security needs of the region. Meyer was a member of the governing body of Itamar and succeeded in advancing the settlement's goals before his death.
 
On the ninth of the Hebrew month of Elul the year five thousand seven hundred and sixty-one, Meyer Licksenberg was shot to death by terrorists on the way home from Elon Moreh where he worked to his home on Itamar.

The members of the community have decided on a project to memorialize Meyer by building a park and playground in blessed memory of his name.
Meyer's family will continue to live in the neighborhood and will carry on the job of settling the land. The project will cost 30 thousand dollars.
Those interested in donating funds please contact us  at:  I want to help!
Courtesy of shechem.org

 

 

AM YISRAEL IS STRONG!
Arutz Sheva News Service
http://www.IsraelNationalNews.com
Friday, August 31, 2001 / Elul 12, 5761

Gila Lixenberg eulogized her brother Meir, a father of five who was murdered by terrorists this week on his way home to Itamar. Excerpts from her remarks:
 
"Today we are burying my brother Meir. It hurts us to no end, we simply cannot absorb it... All of Am Yisrael [the Nation of Israel] is in pain, every home, every party, a word that doesn't belong here at all. Am Yisrael - we are strong, we are strong. Let us not become confused by the tears and the pain. We are here. We will hold on to this Land, to this belief, as much as we need, as much as we can. We are all acting to the best of our understanding as to what is G-d's will. "Mr. Sharon and heads of our state: Be strong, and go forward. Don't look at the other nations. They don't understand the essence of what Am Yisrael is. They are just waiting - yes, they are waiting for you to do what is right - justice, ethics, love of kindness - this is what is incumbent upon us, and incumbent upon you as the head of our state. Mr. Sharon, the nation is strong, don't be confused...
 
"Mr. Sharon, draw from the strengths that we are all granting you, all of Am Yisrael - with the residents of Gush Katif and Yesha, who are "more precious than gold," at the helm - they who are busy every single day, despite facing this terrible violence, with settling the Land, with Life in the Land of Israel. They have fears like every normal person, but with belief in the truth of their way, of our way.
 
"Mr. Sharon, and all Jews everywhere, and especially those living in Zion - Continue! Build life, build communities, bring children into the world, many many children..."
 
"Meir, Abba and Ima always instilled in you and in us the values of love of people, love of land... faith in our way, the way of our forefathers. You always took pains to strengthen and encourage others... we will try to go in your footsteps as much as we can. You so much loved to study, to be next to holy people who are so very simple, but who are actually very great. Meir, you made it. You were worthy of it..."