A few days ago, we received a number of messages and pictures from our son Yoni, who lives in Israel and, as you all know, served in the IDF. Here are some excerpts from what he told us.

"My Mefaked (commanding officer) was killed in a training accident.

I'm in shock. This guy went on like 100 arrests with me. He was training to be a Magad (a higher  level commander)."

He was referring to the tragic death of 23 year old Yishai Rozales, an immigrant from Mexico.

Losing a close friend is tragic, losing someone you served with in the army is losing family, it really is.

Yoni posted a picture of himself and Yishai taken on Har Herzl on Memorial Day that precedes Israel Independence Day. It shows the two of them there, remembering their fallen comrades. Now, Yoni was planning to return to Har Herzl to pay final respects to Yishai.

This is his message on Face book. "Yishai you taught me how to be strong, how to be a warrior for our country. I will remember you forever as the role model and hero you are. Baruch Dayan HaEmet."

Yoni also posted a picture of their team with the caption. “We did 75% of the arrests for our unit during that winter."

"I am totally heartbroken. I spent 8 months fighting with Yishai. He is a warrior. I'm going to Jerusalem in the morning to Har Herzl. One of the boys in the picture of the group is flying in from New York.

If you haven't heard of a chayal boded, a Lone Soldier, let me explain. "Lone Soldiers are among the most beloved people in the State of Israel,  someone who lives in Chutz L'Aretz, outside of Israel, who is not required to do so, yet volunteers to serve in the Israeli Army. I am only one of many parents of Lone Soldiers in Baltimore. There are many of us. Some of their children chose to make aliyah, others to return to the Diaspora after serving Am Yisrael and Medinat Yisrael, risking their young lives for us

Yoni is an Israeli. He recently wrote that he got his Israeli passport. I asked him why since he can easily travel abroad with his US Passport. His answer was, "I served in the Army, I risked my life for this country, that is why I want to travel as an Israeli. "Let me make crystal clear that to Yoni and to all of his comrades, the fact that they are not on active duty, that they are in the reserves, does not mean that they are not in the Army. They keep in shape and are ready to be called up any time. 

The family asked that the funeral be delayed until the evening so that members could fly in from Mexico. Thus the funeral was re-scheduled for 1 AM this morning

Yoni wrote." I went to work today. The funeral is tonight, so the family can fly in from Mexico."  Yoni is employed by the Gemological Institute of America in its office in the Diamond Exchange in Ramat Gan. He lives in Tel Aviv and is able to walk to work if he desires.

Later, we read that the family had expressed their desire that the public please attend the funeral as they had very little family  in Israel.

Yoni came to Yerushalayim and first went to the Kotel and wrote to me that he had undertaken to learn in memory of Yishai. Then he wrote this report of the funeral.

"Abba, the funeral was very difficult and emotional for everyone. Thousands of people attended despite the time and the lack of public transportation at that hour (One AM).

Yishai was a gem, a true warrior who devoted his life to protecting our homeland. He made Aliyah from Mexico.

I received the Mitztayain Gedud - Outstanding Soldier in the Unit- Award through his recommendation. We served together on countless operations.

He saved our lives once. We were on a mission, and ,for a few days, we were in an Arab house, unable to escape. Our lives were in mortal peril. There were only five of us and we were surrounded, ambushed. Yishai convinced our unit to rescue us under cover of an ambulance.

His memory will live on through so many brave fighters."

Now that I have shared with you my son's emotions, let me share mine.

When Menachem Begin was in Siberia in the Soviet Prison, he was told to confess that he was a Zionist. In classic Begin style, he answered: "I cannot confess that I am a Zionist because there is nothing  criminal about it. I can proudly admit that I am a Zionist." Me , too. I have been so accused and admit it.

I was raised in a home and in a family that loved Israel. It wasn't something abstract to us, my uncle and aunt went to Israel every year for the High Holidays and lived and breathed Eretz Yisroel. One of these days, I have to get the JNF to show me the Weinstock Grove. They can have notice to put the sign up.

 My father was very proud that, during World War II, when many others were away in the army, he was asked to sign up members in the Zionist Organization of America. He honestly believed that this would save Jews' lives. That is what they told him. Meyer Oberstein, z’l,  signed up 100 new members of the ZOA .To him, it was his crowning achievement.

Thus, it isn't much of a surprise that we have four children who live in Israel. Our married children, Estie Fertig, Shmuli Oberstein, and Penina Abramowitz , their spouses and children and our son Yoni, who wants to be identified as a "Locheim" a warrior for Israel. We are proud of all of them as we are of our other children and grandchildren.

So, I am proud and scared. Plain and simple.

How would you feel if your son who lives in a good neighborhood of Tel Aviv, near the Army Headquarters, the Kiryah sent you a message on January 3,”My street is closed off. Ambulances going by for 10 minutes straight. My roommate is freaked out." Earlier, on January 1, he wrote: “ A terrorist opened fire on Dizengoff. I told my friend I am still coming for Friday Night Dinner'. To which his brother Shmuli who lives in Modiin wrote, "Yoni , why wouldn't you go for dinner? A shooting now doesn't in any way mean it is more dangerous to go out in a few hours.

Then Shmuli continued, We don't live in Belgium where they canceled New Year's  parties because of a terror threat .Our security services are actually competent."

I could quote other exchanges. A while back, I asked Yoni if he should carry a gun. He responded that although he is very well trained and is a sharp shooter, he doesn't want to live that way. He wants a normal life. Lately, however, he has written that he is applying for a gun permit.  I don't know if he will decide to carry a gun, but he will have the ability to legally do so.

Yoni, wrote," I am applying to carry a gun. I'd rather not live like that, but the times."...

Shmuli's wife, Nina, wrote him, "Yoni, I understand what you are feeling, especially living in Tel Aviv right now. But, it's important to think twice before buying a gun. Are you sure you want to take responsibility for a gun.? Do you member how annoying it was in the army when going places you can't enter with a gun and you have to find a place to lock it up?

My response was simply, "I am sure you will make a wise decision. Be safe."

I could write a lot of platitudes and puffery, but, that is not how I feel at the moment. I want this mess to stop already. I want our children, not just mine, but all of Am Yisrael's children to live normal, healthy lives and I want Medinat Yisrael to have shalom. In the meantime, we must daven.

However, while writing this article, I purchased tickets for Feigi and me to go to Israel for Purim.  They are living the dream that our ancestors yearned for and what they are doing is a z’chus and a mitzvah and I am proud of them all. I honestly love the soldiers of the Tzvah Hagana L'Yisrael. They are all our children.

So, as a parent, I am very, very proud and as a parent I am very concerned.

 

Yoni with Yishai, z"l, and their unit, near Jenin.
 
 Yishai, z"l, surrounded by (L) Avi Kwestel and (R) Yoni

Yishai, Z'"L, on active duty

 

The levayah