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Golani brigadier’s talk touches Rambam boys

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Yom Ha’Zikaron, Israel’s Memorial Day, which commemorates the loss of close to 24,000 Jews at the hands of Arab enemies, was commemorated in a solemn and meaningful assembly at Rambam Mesivta in Lawrence.

After a somber tone was set by a series of video, Rabbi Yotav Eliach, Rambam’s principal, explained how difficult it is for him to visit Har Herzl, the burial ground of so many people who gave their lives to defend their fellow Jews and Medinat Yisroel. “I have been there dozens of times. Every time I go, I cry,” he said. “When I first started going I cried because some of those killed were my friends, more recently I’ve cried because they are the sons of my friends and there is nothing worse than losing a child.” 

Rabbi Eliach spoke about the amazing bravery and dedication of the members of the IDF.

We are fortunate as Jews to have our own country and the ability to defend ourselves, he said.

“If the Shoah would have been the last significant event of Jewish history and there was no reestablishment of a Jewish state, we would not be here today in the manner we are used to. We would be like Marrano’s, afraid to display our Judaism in public for fear of anti-Semitism.” 

He then introduced Bentzy Gross, a 25-year-old commanding officer in the Golani Brigade who fought in Gaza in 2014 in Israel’s bid to stop indiscriminate rocket fire being launched from Gaza at Israel’s population centers.

Bentzy who learned in the Hesder program in Modi’in, spoke about his experiences in the fierce battle in Gaza where he saw so many of his friends injured. Bentzy was shocked to learn about the death of his dear friend, Gar Goldin HYD, during that war. The program concluded with a Kel Moleh for Jews who lost their lives in battle or were victims of terrorist attacks.