REMEMBERING ICN FOUNDER GEN. SHIMON EREM
It is with great sadness, but with deep gratitude for having been part of his extraordinary life, that we inform you of the passing of ICN founder and chairman Shimon Erem, who succumbed to cancer on Sunday, May 27, at the age of 90.
A hero and friend to world leaders and to Jews and Christians here in the U.S. and internationally, Shimon played a crucial role in the founding and survival of the State of Israel, commanding troops in Israel’s War of Independence, the Sinai crisis, the Six Day War and the Yom Kippur War.
Born in Lithuania in 1922 and raised in a small village near Tel Aviv from the age of three, Shimon joined the Jewish underground when he was 15 years old and spent every day of the remaining 75 years of his life fighting for Jewish survival and for the State of Israel. He was truly a Shomer Israel – a Guardian of Israel who vigilantly watched over and intervened for Israel. He did this with faith, passion and humility until his very last breath.
The last 35 years of Shimon’s life were dedicated to building bridges between the Jewish and Christian communities in support of Israel. In 2002, he founded the Israel Christian Nexus to unite and mobilize the Jewish and Christian communities in support of Israel and the Jewish people, and in defense of our shared Judeo-Christian values against the ever-increasing threat of radical Islamists committed to the destruction of Israel and the West. The work of the Israel Christian Nexus is Shimon Erem’s legacy. It was his fervent hope that this work continue long after his appointed days on this earth.
Shimon’s funeral took place on Wednesday, May 30. More than 400 people attended, including dignitaries, Jewish and Christian leaders, close friends and others whose lives have been profoundly impacted by the courage, vision, integrity, intelligence, and humility with which he fought for the Land and People of Israel, as well as for Christians suffering violent persecution by radical Islamists. Hundreds of condolence messages and tributes have been received from around the world.
Israel’s Consul General to the Southwest David Siegel with a message from the State of Israel, told those attending: “Shimon Erem was the very best the Jewish People and Israel have produced. He was one of our last standing founding fathers, a builder of the Modern State of Israel. The world has lost a remarkable man and we have lost a remarkable leader and friend.”
The Counsel General, and all of the day’s speakers, stressed how crucial it is during these daunting and dangerous times that we ensure the continuation of Shimon’s legacy: to nurture the relationships between the Jewish and Christian communities in defense of Israel and the values shared by Jews and Christians derived from the Hebrew Scriptures. We can do nothing less.
Gen. Erem is survived by his wife and partner of 42 years, Danielle Erem, who he called his ‘Angel sent to him by G-d,’ their five children, seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
More information on Gen. Erem’s life and passing, including the live-streamed video from the service, remembrance videos, tributes from leaders around the globe can be accessed here at the Nexus website. If would like to send your own message of condolence or tribute, you can do so by responding in the space below, on ICN’s facebook page or you can send an email to shimontribute@icnexus.org.
The Erem family has requested that if you would like to help honor Shimon’s legacy and continue his work, please consider making a donation to the Israel Christian Nexus. You can send a check to the Israel Christian Nexus, 4629 Van Nuys Blvd., #E, Van Nuys, CA 91403 or you can contribute online by clicking here.
Every morning when I get up, I ask myself ‘What can I do for Israel today?’
Shimon Erem
1922 – 2012