1972 Munich Olympian to talk about the terrorist attack that changed the world

Monroe — The world was watching in 1972 as 11 Israeli Athletes were murdered at the Munich Olympics, in what would tragically be the first of many terrorist attacks against innocent lives over the past 34 years. Chabad of Orange County is inviting the community at large to hear a first-hand account of what took place in the early morning of Sept. 5, 1972. A lecture by Dan Alon, one of the few survivors, titled “Munich ’72: A Survivor Tells His Story,” will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 29, at the American Legion Banquet Hall, 532 Lakes Road, Monroe. Alon was Israel’s champion fencer, representing his country in many international competitions. He was selected to be part of 1972 Israeli Olympic Team and marched in its opening ceremonies. He performed admirably through the early rounds and, exalting in the rush of a winning streak, he felt no inkling of the horror to come. In the early morning hours of Sept. 5, eight terrorists linked to the Palestinian Liberation Organization sneaked into the quarters of the Israeli delegation. Alon and his roommate awoke to a commotion, but returned to sleep. Minutes later, they were roused again by the sound of automatic weapon fire. Outside on an adjacent balcony, Alon saw Israeli wrestling coach Moshe Weinberg dead; weightlifter Yossef Romano also lay murdered in a nearby room. However, the terrorists had not found Alon, his roommate and two Israeli sport shooters. Nine more would be murdered by the terrorists, as the German police botched a rescue attempt at the Munich airport. On the eve of Rosh Hashanah, Alon flew back to Israel with eleven coffins draped in Israeli flags, as the country and world watched with broken hearts. For over thirty years, Alon has remained silent about his experience at the Munich Olympics that fateful day. As a result of Steven Spielberg’s film “Munich,” he has stepped out from his life as a chemist and businessman to discuss the events he lived through inside the complex as the terrorists attacked the sleeping quarters of the Israeli Olympic team. Cost of the lecture is $18 adults; $10 teens. Childcare and children’s activities are available on premises. Light refreshments will be served. To reserve, call Rabbi Pesach and Chana Burston at 782-2770, e-mail RSVP@ChabadOrange.com or visit www.ChabadOrange.com.