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?
He stood by the door, slightly bent over as if recovering from a punch to the gut and yet he had a smile on his face, warm words, and a hug for friends and family. I’ve been to many Shiva houses. This is the first time I’ve seen a grief-stricken father greet those who came … More He commands us to smile
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.
Kim Levengrond Yehezkel’s Facebook page is full of her wedding pictures and pictures of her baby, Kai. Her posts are obvious displays of her love towards her husband and their son. Now the posts have comments of crying icons, people describing how beautiful, wonderful and kind she was. And Facebook added that one little word … More Rafael Levengrond: stepping into the gap, for Kim
Dear people of Sutherland Springs, I am writing to you, from Israel, to tell you that I see you. Halfway around the world, with enough worries of our own, it was heart-breaking to hear of the devastating shooting in your community. We know what it means to have our loved ones ripped from us. I … More An open letter to the people of Sutherland Springs from Israel
“We went to pay our respects,” I told my friend. “Kiss them, each and every one” he said. “And tell Ram he shouldn’t be so serious all the time.” I was standing on a beach named after a miracle, looking at the memory of a disaster. “Returnees to Zion”. How many people do you know … More Kiss them, each and every one
There is a moment that occurs once a year in Israel. The entire country focuses on it, there is even an official, national ceremony to recognize it – the momentous yet somehow quiet transition between Memorial Day for IDF soldiers & victims of terrorism to Independence Day. Jewish tradition dictates that each day begins the night … More The most Israeli moment of the year
Those who should be here and are not. We remember each and every one of them, and pay tribute. To them and to those they have left behind – It is because of them that our nation has a State. Those that were killed in battle, murdered by terrorists, And those that managed to continue … More 23,447 of my brothers and sisters
Inspiration from Zion: This is a Love Story 