“Their life was brief, but very bright and happy. Murdered on the same day and buried in the same grave. Forever together two extraordinary, wonderful, bright and very needed by many people. Tali and Itzik are type of people that others follows, that are called “national leaders”. This is a great loss for all of us”.

In the memory of the righteous Tali (Natasha) and Itzik (Vadim) Imas and murdered with them Kochava Even

Chaim and Avishai Shindler.

Olga Kotkova Blog

WHEN EVERYONE WAS STILL ALIVE...

In the photo – Imas family (without elder son Dani, on the right Itzik’s niece)

Old “Subaru” of Imas family with two hitchhikers were shot and killed at point blank by Hamas, at night of August 31, 2010 on Bani Naim junction (highway #60) near Arab village. Army check-point that used to be there was taken out as a “gesture of good will”.

Avishai Shindler killed in this terrorist attack married just 10 months ago.

Momi Even Chaim, husband of slain Kochava is a ZAKA volunteer, he was one of the first to arrive at the scene of the attack. Approaching the car pierced with bullets, in one of the victims he recognized his wife. Only later the soldiers were able to take him away from the place of tragedy. Kochava and Momi have a ten year old daughter. Kochava was pregnant.

Four adults and one unborn baby were murdered in this terrorist attack.

Avishai ShindlerKochava Even Chaim

photo: Eugene Zadiran

Imas family has six children: Daniel (24, married, has his own baby), Ruth (18), Ariel (16), Ruhama (12), Hodaya (8), Oz (4.5 years old).

Anya Antopolskaya, co-director of the association “Meeting Place", knew Imas family from Moscow. Vadim (Itzik) and Natalia (Tali) studied at the history department of Moscow State University and moved to Israel during their fith year of studies. Here Itzik worked as a gardener and a worker on a farm. Natalia became an accountant and thus was the main money maker in the family, letting her husband learn in the kollel – yeshiva for adults in the Karmei Tsur settlement.

“They were very bright and warm people, they emanated warmth. Their life is a pure Kiddush Hashem (“sanctification of G-d’s name”). Their pure and spiritual way of life made a big influence on a lot of people”.

One cannot count bottles of arak and beer that were consumed at the Shabbat table of Imas family, those door was open to everyone. Cannot remember all the jokes and anecdotes told by Itzik and Natasha, who had a gift for organically intertwine humor with Torah, a joke with truth. Cannot remember all of the Natasha’s recipes, since every time she could cook something new. To everything – cooking, cleaning, child-rearing – she approached as creatively, as while writing historical articles and helping her husband in the restoration of the Temple. I think none of our friends could believe that Natasha and Itsik are murdered. And not because they were righteous people, but because they were such live people”.

“Now there is no time for big words, because a real and urgent help is needed for the children of our best friends Itzik and Natasha. All recognize that they were very bright people, that have dedicated their lives to the restoration of the Temple. But they were also the most interesting and fun couple we've ever seen with my husband Alec.

Masha Zbolinskaya, co-director of “Meeting Place” organization

На смерть Ицхака Имаса Марк Эпельзафт

Зрел виноград. Сияла дуба крона.Был воздух соткан из молитв и саг...В такие дни в окрестностях ХевронаЖил праведник по имени Исак.

Растил детей. Растил деревья сада.Над древней книжкой грыз карандаши...И посещали вечность и прохладаСады его трепещущей души.

И сверху открывалась панорама.И выл мулла сплошную дребедень.И в поисках потерянного ХрамаИсак всходил на гору в Б-жий день.

А этот путь так ясен, прост и горек.Кровав закат над Храмовой горой.Восходит к Небесам простой историк -Не ангел, не Мессия, не герой.

А судьи кто? Властители и судьи?Земная власть - Гоморра и Содом...Подняться до глубин, до самой сути -И строить Храм сейчас, а не потом.

Но в наши дни такого поворотаНе ждут ни от кого - ни там, ни здесь.И потому опять идёт охотаИ новый затевается процесс.

Идёт охота, травля и атака.Пошёл процесс меж городов и сёл...Он выбрал новой жертвою Исака.Но ангел автомата не отвёл.

Poem in Russian, by Mark Applezaft

IT’S PRETTY CLEAR, THAT THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS EXTREMIST, ISN’T HE?

photo: Sergey Grankin

One of Itzik’s friends wrote on the pages of “Live Journal”: “Last months of Itzik’s life were very hard ones. Arabs in Israeli police uniforms, encouraged by their higher ranking Jewish officers made a real hunt after Jews who went on The Temple Mount. Itzik’s personal weapon was confiscated leaving him defenceless. But other Arabs got him. We must not let the torch that he has carried for the last 20 years while living in Israel get extinguished”.

photo: Sergey Grankin

"About a year ago Ministry of Internal Affairs by the recommendation of the Police Colonel Ephraim Erlich has revoked Itzik Imas's permit to carry weapons. This was based on already closed cases of disturbing public order in 2005 at the time of "disengagement".

Already after all cases have been closed, weapons permit has been extended to Itzik Imas, and then ... his weapon has been taken away.

For many months Itzik Imas demanded restitution of justice and that his weapon should be returned to him. To no avail.

Denying a weapon from Itzik Imas became possible by special rules, developed by interdepartmental group headed by deputy general attorney Shai Nitzan.

This group rapidly takes away weapons from settlers, leaving them thus defenseless in front of the terrorists..."

Based on materials from Zman.com and Izrus websites

“This bloody event did not leave anyone indifferent. Perhaps because many of us knew these people. Natalia was open to everyone with all her soul, Itzik, in his sky-blue eyes there was always a smile. Itzik wanted to bring the Temple closer to everyone’s soul. He believed that it is possible. And he did it. And most importantly, he did not demand impossible from anyone, he did everything he could himself.”

I. Baranova

photo: Sergey Grankin

Journalist and filmmaker Sergey Grankin

“I met him while filming “The Lost Temple”. Itzik became our guide of the Temple Mount. People like him are called “a man of G-d”. Bright smile, brilliant Russian and deep knowledge – I couldn’t imagine a better hero. Today Itzik was murdered, he was killed by Arabs. Together with his wife Natasha.

For trips to the Temple Mount a few months ago authorities have seized Itzik’s gun permit. They were afraid, bitches – “what if something happens”. Terrorists shot at unarmed people. But what can you ask of them? A chance to survive was taken away from Itzik by the Jews.

Itzik helped us a lot with our work on the film. It didn’t bother him (as opposed to many others), that our version of the map of the Temple Mount was very different from the orthodox. As a real scientist, Itzik, despite his deep faith, was open to new things. Itzik refused to get paid for his help with the film. We offered to pay, since there was a lot of work, but he just asked us to pay for his bus commute from Qiryat Arba.

I’m very sorry, he wasn’t able to see the film, I dare hope though, that Itzik would like it. Indeed, there are a lot of things he hasn’t done, yet he has a done a lot ...”

ITZIK IS TALKING ABOUT THE TEMPLE

Photo: Michael Polski

ALEXANDER NEPOMNIASHCHY AND AND “STALKER OF TEMPLE MOUNT” ITZIK IMAS

photo: Sergey Grankin

ITZIK IMAS ON THE TEMPLE MOUNT, JANUARY 2008

photo: David Rabkin

ITZIK IMAS ON THE TEMPLE MOUNT

photo: Michael Polski

LESSON ABOUT THE TEMPLE ON THE TEMPLE MOUNT

photo: Michael Polski

TOUR IN THE TEMPLE INSTITUTE

Robe of the High Pr iest and the Golden Al tar for

incense burn ing

photo: Michael Polski

A STORY ABOUT REMAKING TEMPLE UTENSILS

photo: Michael Polski

ITZIK TALKS ABOUT THE GOLDEN MENORAH

photo: Michael Polski

“And this happy couple - Natasha and Itzik?! They lived their lives together as one soul, and shared everything: birth and raising of the children, love for each other, family happiness, kindness, common goals, even same blog on the Live Journal. Life for two! And now death for two and inescapable sorrow of their children”

photos: David Rabkin

Evgenia Sokolova

OPPOSITION TO THE "DISENGAGEMENT" - IN NEVE DEKALIM, GUSH KATIF, 2005 (ITZIK IN A PLAID SHIRT,

TALI - NEXT TO HIM IN THE ORANGE BLOUSE)

photo: M. Shovman

AT THE "ALTALENA” MONUMENT, TEL AVIV, JULY 2008

photo: David Rabkin

KEDUMIM, MAY 2009, AT THE WEDDING OF FRIENDS

photo: David Rabkin

IMAS FAMILY AND TOUR GUIDE ITZHAK FISHELEVICH

photo: Michael Polski

IN MEMORY OF THE RIGHTEOUS Z”L: ITZIK AND TALI IMAS “WILL FOR THE JEWISH PEOPLE”

When you are next to them – you cannot make a mistake. There are people, who emit a special light. Light of righteous. Don’t know, what portion of the light on Earth they provide – a righteous person leaves, and as though light has not diminished – life goes on, Earth spins. But those close to them certainly know – at the moment these righteous people have left this world the light on Earth has been diminished. Sure, there will be a new righteous – this is how our world operates, Almighty does not disturb harmony that He has created. Even if the divine laws are not known to us, that even sometimes it seems as though there aren’t any, - yet a special, individual light of a specific righteous person is irreplaceable.

What is this light made out of... From faith, good deeds, pure and sincere words and actions. From humble selflessness. From the ability of a man to ignite from within – and all around himself – given to him by G-d spark. All this Itzik and Tali Imas had. This was obvious to everyone, who once got close to them.

IN MEMORY OF THE RIGHTEOUS Z”L: ITZIK AND TALI IMAS “WILL FOR THE JEWISH PEOPLE”

But far more significantly - they emanated and gave it to others. They brought, those around them into “the zone of illumination”, plugged them to the source of power and recharged them with the same light – so that other people can then carry this light, expanding and enlightening area of human existence on this Earth.

They settled in the Beit Hagai settlement near Hebron. Over time Itzik began organizing Jewish Ascent to the Temple Mount. In cooperation with volunteer organization “Meeting Place”, with support of his wife Tali (Natasha) he started organizing tours to the Temple Mount for groups of Russian-speaking Jews. This tour is not a “tourist tour” in its essence, but a meaningful one. Without hiding signs of Jewishness from the guards while entering the Mount, since entrance to the Jews for the purpose of praying there is strictly forbidden. But an open one – following all the laws of the Ascent.

This was not easy for him. For this purpose it was necessary to fight, to remain true to the faith and principles. To remain true to oneself. But he did it. And Ascents became regular.

IN MEMORY OF THE RIGHTEOUS Z”L: ITZIK AND TALI IMAS “WILL FOR THE JEWISH PEOPLE”

On August 27th, Itzik and Tali made their last entrance on their Live Journal blog:

“Time has come to pray for the building of the Temple as seriously as we pray for our livelihood. It is time to care about building of the Temple as seriously, as we care about our livelihood. It is time to return to Tshuva (Repentance)”.

Let the memory of the righteous be for a blessing. And let Almighty give us, who are left here, strength and wisdom to continue to save the light of righteousness, pure faith and good deeds.

by Anna Danilova

KEDUMIM, SEPTEMBER 2005

photo: David Rabkin

HEVRON HILLS, JEWISH SETTLEMENT OF BEIT HAGAI, WHERE THE DECEASED LIVED

photo: Michael Polski

FAREWELL TO ALL THE VICTIMS IN THE VILLAGE OF BEIT HAGAI

photo: David Rabkin

THE HARDEST WAS TO SEE FIVE ORPHANS OF THE IMAS FAMILY - TWO OLDER SONS AND THREE

DAUGHTERS (YOUNGEST IMAS – OZ DAVID DID NOT ATTEND THE FUNERAL)

photo: Michael Polski

FUNERALS BURIAL AT MOUNT OF OLIVES

photo: David Rabkin

“They were buried together in one grave. On the very top of the Mount of Olives. It is very quiet and peaceful there. A wind there blows away heat of the day into the high and very blue Jerusalem sky. And the Temple Mount is seen from there so clearly and well, that one can see every place, where Itzik and Talia brought us during our tours. There in quietness and calm lie awaiting the coming of the Messiah great sages and great righteous. Now there lie with them Talia and Itzik Imas. Let their memory be blessed and may G-d avenge their innocent blood”.

Alexander Nepomniashchy

THE JEWISH CEMETERY ON THE MOUNT OF OLIVES

photo: David Rabkin

From the author:

We were not close friends with Itzik and Tali, though we knew them for a while and met from time to time. We have learned from Itzik and went with him on tours, it was with him that we ascended the Temple Mount for the first time. Itzik’s wife Tali was an active organizer of the “Meeting Place” a non-profit Jewish tourism organization, that organized Itzik’s tours of the Old City and the Temple Mount. Regular – despite all! – his tours of the Temple Mount were a big accomplishment of the organization.

He came to us in Haifa to hold lectures on the history of the Temple for the very small group of enthusiasts, he was ready to go to the ends of the world for the sake of the Temple.

Itzik and Tali were exceptionally bright, kind, intelligent, just holy people, whom we were honored to know.

Another friend of Itzik wrote: “we were not friends, though it would be easy – we had a few dozen friends in common. But we belonged to the same circle. Them – in the center, us – in the periphery. They were our role models, very bright people. Illuminating”.

In general, almost everyone who write about Imas family, characterize them with the same word – “bright people". A woman who knew Itzik (then Vadim) as a schoolboy in Moscow told us, he was a best student, but made an impression of being a bit strange and self-absorbed. It seemed as though he would be teased and bullied a lot, but no – he had something, that stopped even school bullies. Perhaps even they felt that hidden light, that everyone who know Itzik write about. Besides, he was rather strong physically.

Also, people thought that such a guy would not get married. But there was a girl Natasha – Talia, who was his good fortune and went with him to Israel, to Judea. And bore him six children. If it were not for her understanding and constant support, he would not become that Itzik, and would not do all those things for which he is loved.

BRIGHT AND ETERNAL MEMORY OF THEM BOTH!

Who is responsible in their deaths we understand.

At least two questions remain:

• How can we help the orphans?

• How to continue life mission of Imas family?

It is recommended to make donations into the account of a special fund: “Hemla - Merkaz Ahesed”; fund founders Gershon Rotshild and Yehuda Glik are good people and close friends of Itzik ל"ז IMPORTANT: Donations are tax deductable in Israel and USA

Credit card (from Israel and abroad): please call here 1-800-2000-87.

Israeli checks can be sent to this address:

P.O.B. 61184, Jerusalem, Israel for "American friends of charity of light fund" , in the letter, write the following "Donation for children of Imas family". Those who want to get a tax deductable receipt, should indicate it in the letter and it will be mailed to them.

For money transfers in Israel: Bank HaDoar (postal bank – in any branch of Israel Post) account #: 3735581, “For Imas family only”.

WAYS OF TRANSFERRING MONEY TO MAKE A DONATION:

WAYS OF TRANSFERRING MONEY TO MAKE A DONATION:

Hemla - Merkaz Ahesed (link is in Hebrew) – this is a future oriented fund taking into consideration many upcoming expenses, such as: education for children, activities, study and later on weddings, etc. So if you can make “oraat keva” (even very small, but regular payments to their account) this would be wonderful!

Foreign checks can be sent to this address:

P.O.B. 61184, Jerusalem, Israel for "American friends of charity of light fund" , in the letter, write the following "Donation for children of Imas family". Those who want to get a tax deductable receipt, should indicate it in the letter and it will be mailed to them.

PayPal (from Israel and abroad) For all, who cannot use options above, there is a possibility of

transferring cash and checks within Israel. For a full list of ways of transferring money and a list of volunteers,

please visit this page: http://sashanep.livejournal.com/592744.html (scroll down for English)

WHY DO WE NEED ASCENTS TO THE TEMPLE MOUNT?

Today, Israeli society poorly understands and is petrified of everything that has to do with the Temple Mount. Charedi society daily prays for the rebuilding of the Temple, yet absolutely forbids ascending on the Mount (they believe that the Temple descend from above, “ready for use”). Israeli Police tries to disrupt our ascends and persecutes Jews, like Itzik Imas. And a typical question of the secular person – do you really want to destroy Muslim Mosques on the Mount and by doing so terribly anger Muslims (as if everything else doesn’t cause their anger)?

Calm down, no one is planning to destroy these Mosques any time soon. But we know that one day they will disappear. We do not know yet, whether it is going to happen by human hands, or would an earthquake bring down the Mosques or will any other cataclysm do the job. We still don’t know – how, but we firmly know that this is going to happen and the Jewish nation should be ready for it. And to prepare, we need to ascent to the Mount, study its’ history, makeup and laws of the Temple and to teach our children.

We know, that Muslims, without realizing it are protecting this place for us – to fulfill prophecies about the rebuilding of Jerusalem and its Temple. And currently shining nice “golden dome” on top of the Temple Mount will sooner or later give way to a shining bright truly magnificent Temple.

WHY DO WE NEED ASCENTS TO THE TEMPLE MOUNT?

And we wish you and ourselves: “In the New Year – in the rebuilt

Jerusalem – that is in the Jerusalem with rebuilt Temple!”

In the words of the hero of Bulgakov, "devastation begins in the minds”. And the creation of new also always starts in people’s minds. Today rebuilding of the Temple on the place of Muslim buildings seems absolutely impossible to our realist-materialists. But even more fantastic things – such as return here of millions of Jews and creation of our state – in the beginning of XX century seemed silly and fantastic to many – laughable – yet it became a reality. And it all started from a thin pamphlet of a naive dreamer Theodor Herzl...

In the literal and figurative senses we have a long and difficult path to the Temple. And we need to start going on this path already today. Righteous Itzik and Talia Imas dedicated their lives doing so.

Michael Brook

“Not many of us have “a work of life”, Imas family certainly have!

And it would be terribly sad to admit, that a work of their lives will go with them. Especially, since work of Imas family has moved some deep spiritual masses, that made absolutely secular people get up at the sunrise, dip in the mikvah, go through police check-up and proudly ascend with Imases to the Temple Mount – a symbol of our Redemption, leaving behind the Wailing Wall – a symbol of our Exile.

At the time, when Jews from all over the world send their notes to the Wailing Wall, considering it the holiest place in the world, it is very important to realize, that the Wailing Wall – is just a support for the sand mound, that Herod made during the expansion of the Temple Mount. This Support, does not have a direct connection with the Temple and is a symbol of our shame, our mourning for the destruction of the Temple, cry for crushed independence of our nation.

Mere fact, that we have returned to our Land and are coming back to our Temple Mount, has a deep symbolic and political significance. We are no longer beaten up, despised “Kikes”, but are worthy representatives of our nation”.

“THERE IS NO BETTER MEMORIAL TO THE FALLEN HERO, THEN A CONTINUATION OF HIS LIFE’S WORK”

Here is what Dr. Efim Kelman wrote:

“Main work of Itzik’s life was our return to the Temple Mount. And this work now should only become stronger. So let everyone, without making a vow to decide for oneself:

- those who are ready, should ascend to the Temple Mount, but be certain to follow all the rules.

- those who are not ready and are not sure that it is allowed – should learn what is allowed and what is not on the Temple Mount, what opinions exist and they are based on.

And let them tell what they know well and help others to ascend to the Temple Mount and while doing so to remember Tali and Itzik. And let men do this three times a year: on Pessah, Sukkot and Shavuot, and women – whenever they can. And those who can do it more often, should do so”.

And finally, the very end ...

Those, who want to learn more about The Temple Mount and The Temple, or just want to travel in the Land of Israel:

- You can get in touch with “Meeting Place” organization (this site is in Russian) http://mesto.org.il/homepage-en

- Also we recommend site “Jerusalem Temple Today” and its “memorial page” (this site is in Russian) http://jerusalem-temple-today.com/katav/10/09-01-pohIz/Imas.html

And if you knew Imas family and you have photos, audio, video or any other materials about them and their activities – please send it to “Meeting Place”, where a memorial site about Imas family is being created and all such materials are welcome.

THANK YOU!

This presentation includes blog fragments from Live Journal pages of numerous friends

of Imas family including photos by David Rabkin, Michael Polski, Sergey Grankin and

many-many others.

Thanks to photographers and all those who wrote kind words!

SHANA TOVA!

This presentation is prepared by: Roman Cherniavsky

Translation into English and design by: appSTUDIO

September, 2010