In 1929, after years of relatively peaceful existence, the Arabs of Hebron responded to the call of the Mufti of Jerusalem and slaughtered the Jews in their midst.
A Jewish child, Shlomo Slonim, 18-months-old at the time of the massacre, survived the brutality.
The Slonim baby lived because after being struck in the head with an axe, he lost consciousness and was covered by the dead bodies of his slain parents. His four-year old brother and grandparents were also slaughtered.
In all, 24 of the 67 Jews butchered in Hebron that day died in the Slonim house. People hid there because it was thought to be the safest place, given the close relations Shlomo’s father had with the Arab neighbors who had promised him protection.
But none were spared.
Altogether, it’s estimated 435 Jewish residents of Hebron survived the massacre.
Hebron had been the oldest Jewish community in the world, dating back to the time of Patriarchs.
Every year Slonim attended the memorial for those slain in 1929 in Hebron.
The funeral for Shlomo Slonim who died at age 86, today, Oct. 27, will be tomorrow at 2:30 PM in Ra’anana, at the Kfar Nachman cemetery.