12 | APRIL 18 • 2024 

S

ix months. It’s been six months.
Six months have passed since 
that terrible Saturday in October 
when the State of Israel and the Jewish 
people were stunned by the brutal attack 
of the Hamas terrorist organization from 
Gaza on our civilians. Six months since 
the national disaster struck the State of 
Israel and, within it, a personal family 
tragedy of mine.
Six months that my family and I have 
been learning to live with the terrible, 
unimaginable loss of Ilay — my little 
brother. Ilay was the heart of our mish-
pachah — everyone’s favorite brother, 
loved by all who met him. The one who 
always ends every argument, with whom 
everyone agrees. Our source of pride and 
admiration, the smart, funny, friendly 
young man, that I will always remember 
as a 2-year-old toddler with curly bright 
hair and big smiling eyes. 
Ilay fell in battle against Hamas terror-
ists in Kibbutz Kfar Aza on Oct. 7. He 
went to protect civilians, families in the 
kibbutz that were being slaughtered and 
burnt alive in their homes. He was killed 
in a fierce battle against terrorists, along 
with three of his friends — Hadar Kama, 
Amir Tzur and Tal Cohen. And so many 
others died that day … What a loss, such 
a disaster. 

Six months since we experienced this 
unimaginable pain as we pray for our 
hostages — Israeli civilians and soldiers 
who are held captive by Hamas in appall-
ing conditions, without any humanitarian 
organization checking their condition and 
verifying their well-being. For most of 
them, their families haven’t received any 
sign of life since Oct. 7. Six months that 
an entire country tries to go on with their 
lives, while their hearts are held captive 
in Gaza.
 
A DAY OF MOURNING
Every year in Israel, we commemorate 
the National Memorial Day — Yom 

HaZikaron, a day of mourning to honor 
the Israeli soldiers who lost their lives 
defending Israel and the victims of terror. 
On this day, the entire country unites 
with the memory of the fallen, those who 
fought for us and protected us, and those 
who were victims of the wars and terror 
by our enemies. This is a difficult and 
special day. There is a feeling of unity as 
everyone comes together in national grief. 
This year, Yom HaZikaron will be espe-
cially difficult in Israel, because so many 
have become bereaved families. Every 
single person in Israel knows someone 
who was killed on Oct. 7. There are so 
many stories of heroism and courage, so 
many painful and unbearable losses, of 
civilians and soldiers of all ages and back-
grounds. 
We have been grieving for six months 
nonstop — and it seems that everything 
is building up to one impossible day of 
sadness and suffering. At least if we had 
reasons for optimism — to see that this 
war is near its end, that the hostages will 
soon be released and return home to their 
families … But, unfortunately, it feels like 
our sorrow only grows, and it becomes 
very difficult to find hope and comfort. 
That is why this year — more than 
ever — we need each other, our families, 
our friends. We need to find comfort and 
strength in the Jewish community itself. 
To unite around the memory of the fallen 
— to strengthen one another and grow 
stronger together.
Please join us on May 12 for a 
Community Vigil for the Fallen, orga-
nized by the Michigan Board of Rabbis, 
Friends of the IDF and the Jewish 
Federation, as we gather as a united com-
munity to remember the victims of Oct. 
7 and the soldiers lost in the ongoing war. 
This solemn, heartfelt vigil is our 
chance to ensure their memories are 
cherished and their sacrifices are not for-
gotten. We will hear a story of bravery 
and loss from our guest speaker Yadin 
Gellman, an IDF elite unit hero who was 
severely wounded on Oct. 7, fighting in 
Kibbutz Be’eri. Please plan to attend by 
registering today. The location of the 
event will be shared with those who reg-
ister. 
Register at jlive.app/events/7617. 

LIOR ZISSER-YOGEV SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS 

OUR COMMUNITY

Community 
 Vigil for 
 the Fallen

Local Yom HaZikaron 
Local Yom HaZikaron 
event on May 12 will 
event on May 12 will 
commemorate those 
commemorate those 
lost on Oct. 7.
lost on Oct. 7.

Lior and her 
brother Ilay

Lior Zisser-
Yogev

