By Jeff Lipton
Matthew Bielski, 22, a Lawrence High School alumnus who grew up in the Five Towns, has signed up as a paratrooper with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and may be on the front lines battling against the terrorist group in Lebanon. He is a member of the special forces - the first ones put in position to enter enemy territory, paving the way for ground troops to follow.
His family is in contact with him but during the phone conversations he is intentionally vague because he is prohibited from revealing any details of the ongoing military operation by Israel.
His family members include his mother Margo, his father Jay, his twin sister Danielle and his other siblings, Elan and Rebecca, who are both 19 and also twins. Margo said they are glued to the television, trying to digest all news reports from CNN or Fox News about what is happening in the Middle East.
"We're proud of him and we're scared at the same time," his mother said. "My husband wants to jump on a plane and go there."
Matthew, who also attended Temple Beth El Hebrew School, was enrolled in the University of Binghamton after graduating from Lawrence High School. During his first year in college, he visited Israel "and just fell in love with the country," his mother said. At that time, he told his mother that his plan was to graduate from college in three years and then join the Israeli Army. That pronouncement by him surprised her, she said. He graduated from college in three years and carried through with his promise. He moved to Israel in July 2005 and enlisted in its army in November.
She said Matthew attended jump school in Israel to learn the proper technique in jumping out of airplanes. He is now part of an elite 30-member group of American-born young men in the special forces of the paratroopers. "I think it's just great that 30 Americans in this group went to help defend Israel," she said. "They are from Florida, California, all over the country."
Ms. Bielski said when her son joined the IDF, he didn't expect that he'd be involved in a war right now.
"He's fine and he seems very confident about what he's doing," said Ms. Bielski, relaying some of the phone conversations she has had with her son during his time with the IDF. "He's happy with his unit and he's very dedicated."
She said he's following in the footsteps of his grandfather, who was a part of the famous "Bielski Brothers," three brothers in the Russian Army who rescued about 1,200 Jewish men, women and children during World War II.
"That's my son, helping to defend Israel in its time of need," she said. "Just like his grandfather, he's standing up to the oppression."
Ms. Bielski said the paratroopers need special boots, which cost about $400 a pair, and so their mothers are organizing a fund-raiser to send them the footwear.
"All of their mothers are in contact with each other," she said, adding that they have developed a special bond because their sons are involved in the same special forces.
She expressed hope that the mission her son is involved in will be a quick one and prays that peace and tranquility can be restored to the region.
"We're hoping for the best," she said.
Comments about this story? Jlipton@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 210.
