This sign stands in the traffic circle at the entrance to our neighborhood. It reads: “The community of the French Carmel bows its head in mourning for Sergeant First Class (Res.) Benyamin Asulin, of blessed memory, who fell in battle.” The shiva for Benny Asulin is over, and already there are other soldiers to bury. … More What do you say to a mother with a broken heart?
So many good boys… This week we attended the funeral of Sgt. First Class (res.) Benyamin Asulin. He was 28 years old. His family lives one road above mine. Everyone’s heart broke seeing Ben’s mother walking behind his coffin, moaning: “Ben, Ben. My son.” She described telling him: “You served so many days in this … More So many good boys…
Yesterday we ended the day with the Passover Seder. We began it at Dor’s funeral… “Thank you for being my son.” Dor’s father speaking of his son who always led the way, always first, born first, before his twin sister, and ever since looked for ways to be groundbreaking and make a difference, charming people … More In every Dor the enemy rises up to destroy us
No father should have to bury his son. Osheri Moshe Butzchak was just 22 years old. His name means “My joy.” The eldest son, first grandson, the light of his father’s eyes, worshipped by his younger siblings. My camera could not take in a wide enough angle to show all the people who came to … More “Osheri, light of my eyes”
It is heartbreaking to get requests from Jews abroad for video proof to back up the police statement regarding the violence at the funeral of Shireen Abu-Akleh. It is heartbreaking because I understand the desperate desire to appease the anger of those accusing Israel of sadistic, oppressive behavior: “We aren’t evil, don’t hate us. Here’s … More Israel’s handling of the death of Shireen Abu-Akleh
I recently attended a very pretty funeral and was surprised to discover that it felt wrong to me. Living in Israel has changed my perspective on so many things, it turns out that I have developed a new way of seeing funerals too. A mother of a neighbor died. She had a long good life … More Israeli funeral epiphany
Shira and Amichai Ish-ran are a beautiful young couple. Twenty-one years old, they got married this year. Looking at them, most people would see radiant youth, loving eyes and warm smiles. How many would realize that these are people made from steel? On the last day of Chanukah, Amichai and Shira, 7 months pregnant were … More Meet the Maccabees: My Nation forever, Israel
Is it possible to mourn a man you don’t know? A wave of sadness hit me and, with a sigh, I sat down next to the grave of Lt. Col M., tears welling up in my eyes. The fresh grave was piled with flower wreaths, bright and beautiful, a silent testament of the grief of … More Heroism, unsung: Lt. Col M.
On Friday I started getting updates on my phone about a car ramming terror attack. Turning on the news, we heard that a car had rammed into a group of soldiers leaving two dead and others injured. It took a little while before this was declared a terror attack. The terrorist who was injured in … More Thank you for being my son
Inspiration from Zion: This is a Love Story 