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