10 | OCTOBER 17 • 2024 J
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Lachman’s brigade walked toward the

scorched remains of kibbutzim along the
Gaza envelope, passing bloodied bodies and
burned-out, bullet-riddled cars as missiles
from Gaza flew overhead. He recalled his
time working alongside ZAKA, the spe-
cial search-and-rescue emergency workers
charged with the grim task of collecting bod-
ies or any remains of bodies for identification
and burial. He then had to handle truckloads
of filled body bags in all sizes. He said the
sight of the body bags, including those for babies,
and the memory of the smell will never leave him.
Lachman also described his battalion’s 57-day
tour of duty in Gaza, eliminating terrorists and
destroying uncountable terror tunnels — but losing
several friends in battle.
Now that his service is over, Lachman has spent
time reflecting on how to go on with his life.
“This period of my life has reminded me how
important it is to talk to my mom, who has lost
much weight from the stress. I also realize that life is
an amazing gift, and this gift is given to us by those
who will never be able to enjoy that gift,” he said.
“I have never forgotten for one second that in
those Gaza tunnels there are still men, women and
children who still may have the chance to hug their
parents one day again. I don’t know when and how
this is going to end. I don’t know if life in Israel will
ever be the same.
“I do know that Israel will never give up because
Israel is not just the state — it is the power of the
Jewish people.”

‘SAY THEIR NAMES OUT LOUD’
The evening also featured pre-recorded videos of
Israelis sending their messages of gratitude and con-
nection to their Jewish friends in Detroit.
After Shinshinit (Israeli emissary) Shira Rafalovitz
played a solemn violin solo of “Shir Lama’alot” to
the backdrop of photos of all those who were mur-
dered on that day, Rabbi Jen Lader of Temple Israel

and president of the Michigan Board of Rabbis next
spoke of the devastation of the loss of even one life,
let alone over 1,200 Jews in one day.
Before CSZs’ Hazzan David Propis chanted the
El Maleh Rachamim prayer, Rabbi Lader guided the
attendees to look at the tiny photo that each had
been given and to say their name out loud to mourn
the one-year passing of their murder.
“They were that most amazing brother, the funny
uncle, the girl with the special laugh, the sweetest
baby, the most loving mother and the most loyal
friend, the most beloved grandma,
” Rabbi Lader said.
“
An entire world was destroyed with every person
murdered by Hamas. This was not a massacre where

1,200 people were killed, but a massacre during
which one person, one entire world, was killed 1,200
times over. The people on your card, they were a
whole world. Say their name out loud as we pray to
God to take care of each soul.”

‘WE WILL NOT BE INTIMIDATED’
In an inspiring final address to the rally, Federation
President Gary Torgow introduced his words as not
the speech he had intended to give that evening.
He spoke of the treacherous acts of Jew-hatred
that fell upon the Jewish community only hours
before — as the last bits of paint used to scrawl vile
words against Israel were scrubbed from the exte-

OUR COMMUNITY
ON THE COVER

continued from page 9

After Temple Israel Rabbi

Jen Lader, president of
the Michigan Board of
Rabbis, spoke about
“Those We Have Lost,”
Shaarey Zedek Hazzan
David Propis joined her
to chant the memorial
prayer El Maleh
Rachamim.

Stickers like this
were distributed
at the event.

DAVID SACHS

Rabbi Aaron Starr (on the screen) acknowledges the
Michigan Board of Rabbis (on the steps), the Jewish
Federation of Detroit and the Michigan Board of
Cantors for organizing the event.

Shinshinim,
young Israeli
emissaries,
recited a Prayer
for Israel.