Merkava Mark IV on the Gaza border. Photo (c) T. Book, 2024
On October 7, 2023, Tal-Sara was one of seven female Israeli tank crew members from the Caracal brigade who fought against Hamas terrorists continuously for an unbelievable 18 hours! These young women were the first ever all-female tank crew to engage in active combat in history. They killed an estimated 50 terrorists, saved a kibbutz, and successfully blocked a massive hole in the border fence.
Tal-Sara one of the all-female tank crew heroes from October 7. Photo (c) T. Book, 2024
Since her discharge from the regular army, she has been on reserves in my combat medical extraction unit (Palmar) on the Gaza front. I interviewed her this week on the first anniversary of October 7. Despite her fame, both national and international, Tal-Sarah, being justifiably proud of her role, was extremely modest and soft-spoken. She had fire in her eyes and a strong spirit. Tal-Sarah told me:
I never expected to be a hero and to fight overwhelming amounts of terrorists. Only after the event when I thought of it, did I realise how we made history. We received hundreds of supportive messages from people we saved, and indeed form all over the world. We have been interviewed my mainstream media from many international outlets. I don’t believe we did anything extraordinary; we just did our duty to defend the State of Israel and her citizens.
She recounted how in the midst the battle she phoned home, during a brief lull in the fighting, to tell her family how much she loved them. She saw death before her eyes and was sure that this was her end. Instead, her crew emerged triumphant and are an inspiration to us all. Next month her dream is being fulfilled, as she will be joining a newly established all-female reserve tank crew unit in Gaza.
About the Author
Tuvia Book has a doctorate in education and is the author and illustrator of the internationally acclaimed Israel education curriculum; "For the Sake of Zion; A Curriculum of Israel Studies" (Fifth edition, Koren), "Jewish Journeys, The Second Temple Period to the Bar Kokhba Revolt, 536 BCE-136 CE," (Koren), "Moral Dilemmas of the Modern Israeli Soldier" (Rama) and the soon to be published “Jewish Journeys, The First Temple Period, 1000 -586 BCE” (Koren).
Dr. Book was born in London and raised in both the UK and South Africa. After making Aliya at the age of 17 and studying in Yeshiva he volunteered for the IDF, where he served in an elite combat unit. Upon his discharge he completed his undergraduate degree in Jewish history and literature, as well as a certification in graphic design. He then served as the Information Officer and deputy head of security at the Israeli Consulate of Philadelphia, while earning a graduate degree in Jewish Studies.
Upon his return to Israel, Dr. Book graduated from a course of study with the Israeli Ministry of Tourism and is a licensed tour guide. Tuvia has been working in the field of Jewish education, both formal and informal, for many years. He has guided and taught Jewish students and educators from around the English-speaking world for some of Israel’s premier educational institutions and programs. Tuvia has lectured throughout North America, Australia, Europe, and South Africa. In addition, his artwork has been commissioned on every continent (except Antarctica).
Tuvia served as a Shaliach (emissary) for the Jewish Agency for Israel as the Director of Israel and Zionist Education at the Board of Jewish Education of Greater New York (Jewish Education Project). He was a lecturer/educational guide at the Alexander Muss Institute for Israel Education (AMIIE) in Israel. Tuvia has lectured at both Bar Ilan University and Hebrew University. He is a Teaching Fellow at the Tikvah Fund. He is a research associate at the Hudson Institute. His latest book, "Jewish Journeys, The First Temple Period, From King David to King Zedekiah, 1000 - 586 BCE," (Koren) is part of a series on Jewish history.