In memory of Major Roey Chapell z"l
Roey's lookout
A bit about this place
Shachar asked me to write a paragraph or two about the lookout point for the website she’s creating in your memory.
It feels surreal to write about your memory and how you’re being honored. After all, you just hugged me, and I hugged you. A memorial? A website? A rock? A lookout named after you?
Days pass, flowing like bitter and sour wine, and I’m stuck on Friday, the eve of Simchat Torah. I talked to you. You said, “Love you, Mom,” and I said, “Love you.” That’s where I’m rooted.
A wave of longing hit me sharply this evening as I returned from a hike in the nature reserve. Suddenly, I so badly wanted to talk to you. To hear you. To feel and know that you are there, watching over me, being there for me.
Just like you always were for me. A soulmate. A son.
Back to the lookout.
So why is this particular spot so meaningful?
On the Carmel Ridge, between two hills, there stands a bench beneath a large pine tree, overlooking a wadi with two banks.
Below in the valley, the Kabarah stream carves its way — a path you’ve walked many times.
From there, you climbed up to the caves, exploring every nook and cranny of the mountain to discover what it tells you.
The natural woodland surrounding here is the forest of your childhood and youth.
The scent of earth blends with your own.
Here you walk the trails, your eyes scanning below for fossils and stones.
Your hands gently touch the branches of the shrubs.
You so enjoyed the light and the greenery and the flight of the birds.
You examined every crack and cave entrance, followed the shapes of the rocks, imitated the howls of jackals,
and when tired, you’d sit down and eat a sandwich—or two—on the way, along with some snack.
And there you are up above, walking,
then bending down, reaching out a hand to help,
then jumping on a rock and climbing.
The paths are you, the rocks as well,
the blooming in the seasons is you—
the squill, the first narcissus to bloom,
and the cyclamen and spring blossoms.
Every chamomile, every chrysanthemum, every crocus,
every savory and of course the hairy thyme—
all are you, that’s your scent.
You are wholly nature and the beauty of creation.
To describe you is to simply sit here and breathe in the scent of sky and earth,
and to gently hold a sage leaf in your hand.
To gaze westward, to look beyond the clouds,
and there—if you listen to the signs—
you may discover the child who once walked ahead.
As you grew, you opened new paths.
Like a shepherd walking the roads and leading the way.
Then came the navigations, the runs, and the mountain biking.
You were always sweating and always smiling,
always confident, walking your chosen path.
The mountain was your home, and the wadi your refuge,
and the wild animals were your shield.
You knew every bush and every plant along the way—
which to season, which to salt, and which to cook.
What was forbidden to touch or rub,
and where you could safely lay down your body and crouch.
Pakal Roey
Roey's kit invites you all for coffee and stories
Roey used to say that “making a coffee kit is about creating a space for conversation between people.” He would bring his kit everywhere, sit down, mix different herbs, and always add some sweets and snacks alongside. He even prepared coffee kits for his soldiers in the field, between sunrises and sunsets.
On Friday evening, October 6, 2023, about 14 hours before the battle, Roey was photographed for the last time, following tradition — preparing a coffee kit at sunset for his fighters.
(*The photo can be found on the site under the page ‘His Heroism’)
The kit and the lookout point are in Roey’s spirit and for everyone’s enjoyment.
In Roey’s spirit, while you are surrounded by the beautiful nature where he grew up and was raised, we invite you to think of a good deed you want to do upon your return home, enjoy the nature, create moments of conversation with your loved ones and also with yourself.
Feel free to enjoy the kit and leave it for others to use as well.
The key to the kit hangs on the big tree.
Please return it to its place after use.
Thank you.
Directions:
Waze: Roey Chapell Lookout
Google Maps: Roey Lookout Zichron Yaakov, Roey Birding
In front of the house at 48 Sapir Street, Zichron Yaakov, there is a dirt parking area where you can park your car.
From the dirt parking, walk down a gravel path about 200 meters, then turn left.
There you will find the lookout.
Nearby hiking routs
You’re invited to download the file and see details about a trip in the northern part of Ramat Hanadiv,
which includes stops at the Roey Lookout, the Eagle’s Nest, and the Boars’ Cave,
and partly passes through the Kabarah Stream.
