The Faces

Short on time today so just giving you faces and stories for a more personal and up close look at the beautiful and the heartbreaking-

This is an Israeli Air Force pilot. When he was informed his wife was in the delivery room with their first baby, Captain A. was given a 24 hour leave. He welcomes his new baby girl into the world.

Oren Weiss׳ parents were murdered by Hamas terrorists on Kibbutz Be’eri on the 7th of October. He married his fiancé, Mirit 3 days later. “We thought to postpone the wedding, but with all the madness in this world, we knew our parents would have wanted this. So life must go on. Love must triumph.”

The story of two brothers, both heroes. Separately when they heard the news of the invasion into Israel by the Hamas terrorists, grabbed their gear, headed South and jumped into action. Noam & Yishai Slotki, husbands and fathers of young children, fought off dozens of armed terrorists that day, rescuing and giving aid to scores of people caught up in the crossfire. They both gave their lives in fierce firefight near Kibutz Alumim.

Master Sgt in reserves, Eliyahou Benyamin Elmakayes, from France, was set to be married to his beautiful fiancé, Yoanna on 5 November. He postponed the wedding until his returned, but tragically was killed in Gaza in the line of duty.

This is a heartbreaking story with a surprising ending. Bruna emigrated to Southern Israel with her younger brother and her mother. They had only been in the country for two short months and knew relatively no one yet. Bruna was shot as she tried to flee the nightmare of a peace concert. Her mother asked a couple neighbors if they could possibly get together a minion of ten men so the Jewish funeral could take place that night.

The neighbor put out a post on Facebook and on WhatsApp. She spoke with the rabbi who also posted the request. When the Valenus showed up four hours later, they were shocked as there were over 20,000 people to share in the grief. Young people and old, religious and secular- they all turned up. Because in Israel we are all family.

This is beautiful Luna. Luna had a brother. He was shot defending the family. She had a home. Children who loved her. Luna loved to swim in the cold rivers up North. She loved to hike. She loved to play in the fields of wildflowers near the kibbutz. On October 7 she was taken from her home and placed in the back of a white pick-up. Last seen in a photo from Gaza chained to a metal fence. It’s not only people. Free Luna from Hamas.

Nine year old Tamar Chaya Torpiashvili repeatedly had to run to the community bomb shelter outside their apartment. She ducked, covered and dodged shrapnel falling to the street. Finally, her little body could handle the stress no longer. When the red alert sounded again, Tamar died of a heart attack last week as she was rushing to the shelter in Ashdod.

Gili & Shia had plans to marry but then the war broke out and they were both called up as reservists. To different bases. No matter. The army arranged for a rendezvous. A 48 hour leave and an impromptu wedding. Family was allowed on base. Sumptuous food was provided gratis by one of Tel Aviv’s master chefs. An Israeli music sensation even showed up to provide added joy for the newlyweds.

This amazing soul is Chaim ben Aryeh. In Hebrew Aryeh means Lion of G-d. Chaim, a school bus driver, took his service van and rescued several bus loads of young children, many very wounded, from Kibbutz Be’eri the morning of the horrific massacre. He was exposed to the most shocking atrocities. His soul could take it no longer and he committed suicide ten days ago. May his memory forever be a blessing. To us he is a hero.

Nirel Zini planned on proposing to his sweet Neev that day. He had bought the ring. It was Simchat Torah, the day of great rejoicing. What better way than declaring his love and declaring his intent. The families were all gathered for the special moment. Nirel and Neev were brutally murdered by the Hamas terrorists that day….

This guy just couldn’t be any cooler. Dashing Gil, made Aliyah to Israel at age 18 from Russia by himself. Despite suffering from severe lung problems, he insisted upon serving in the IDF armored brigade. He was serving in reserves in Gaza. When his unit needed someone to go out to get equipment, Gil volunteered. He told his mates, “You all have wives and kids. I’ll go.” He was killed by a ‘civilian teenage sniper’ almost immediately. He, too, is a hero.

Shabbat comes early these daze, so I leave you with some joyful reunions. Our soldiers are finally getting leave, some after being gone more than a month. A peaceful and quiet Shabbat to all-