We made Aliyah during the summer of 2003 and came straight from the airport to our new home in Mitzpeh Yericho. It's almost 17 years, and so many of the details of our first summer here are foggy, but one memory remains especially strong. 

During that summer a meeting of some sort was called. As a new member of the Yishuv I was naturally curious. If I remember correctly, the meeting took place outdoors in the area of the Moadon in the evening. As a new member of the Yishuv I wasn't really privy to the background of why the meeting was being called, but it involved the Noar of the Yishuv. I believe the issue had to do with the issue of mixed boy/girls activities. (Some things never change). Again, the details are fuzzy. But what remains strong is the impression that a young man, אליוס ע"ה made on me that night. He spoke to express his opinion. He didn't speak as a young man. Rather he spoke as a wisened individual. I had never met him before but the impression he left was that one day this person, whoever he was, would become a great leader. He exhibited great leadership qualities. I knew from that first impression that this person was truly special and would go on to accomplish great things.

Mordechai Weiss