I write to you from Jerusalem, where I just returned from Mt. Herzl, Israel’s military cemetery.
Each week since October 7th, we have read the names of the fallen IDF soldiers from the bima. These are names that feel real even with no attachment to a human being we recognize.
As I approached the fresh section of graves, a section that sat empty on October 6th, I saw a prepared burial plot for a funeral about to happen for a lone soldier, Ilan Cohen, from Argentina. A notice spread for all who were available to come to honor his life. This is what we do as Jews.
As I exited the cemetery, I saw a young man standing over a grave from October 7th. I asked, “Are you here remembering a family member?”
He replied, “My name is Eitan Epelbaum. I am 21, a lone soldier from Chile, and this is my commander, Amir Lavi, and my best friend, Tal Levy, who died on October 7th when Hamas attacked our army base, Sufa.”
Eitan then told me, “I am lucky.” When I asked why he would be lucky with the two of us standing in a military cemetery, he shocked me.
He said, “I’m lucky because you are here and now you get to share our story.”
We hugged. I thanked him for his service. He thanked me for our community.
A name is an entire world.
May we all be lucky to share the stories of Ilan Cohen, Amir Lavi, and Tal Levy.
Their memories shall be a blessing for all time.
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Sherman will send daily updates with the Sinai Temple Delegation on the JNF-USA Volunteer Mission.
