Book applauds Americans who helped liberate Israel

Thursday, June 11, 1998 | 11:15 a.m.

The Jewish nation this year celebrates the 50th anniversary of its creation.

Sunday at 2 p.m. Craig Weiss, 24, will be at the Borders Book Store, 2190 N. Rainbow Blvd, to autograph copies of the book "I Am My Brother's Keeper."

The book is a tribute to more than a 1,000 people who came to the aid of the fledgling nation, people like the late Hank Greenspun, prominent Las Vegas businessman and founder of the SUN, and Rudy Augerten, a heroic World War II pilot who trained the first two groups Israeli pilots.

Greenspun is a legend in Israel, taking on the role of a gun-runner who commandeered a ship to send arms as well as airplane parts and fuel to the young Israeli army.

"There's a lot about him in the book," Weiss, a third-year law student at Arizona State University, said. "He made an amazing contribution."

American Danny Shapira was Israel's chief test pilot for many years; West Point graduate Mickey Marcus was the first army general, and Annapolis graduate Paul Shulman was the first commander of Israel's navy.

"There are a lot of amazing stories, unbelievable stories," Weiss said.

Weiss said his brother, a 36-year-old attorney, came up with the idea for the book about three years ago.

"I was living in Israel in 1995-1996 when Jeff called me and wanted me to start doing research for the book," Weiss said.

Weiss quit his job and traveled around the country interviewing people and researching, which he continued doing when he returned to the United States.

"A thousand people went to Israel's aid, and they made a difference," Weiss said.