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.

