On Monday, October 7, the one-year anniversary of the horrific terrorist massacre of of over 1200 men, women and children in Israel, Rabbi Yerachmiel Fried and Rabbi Ronen Shimon shared a path forward, and our 12th grade students made a kiddush Hashem.
[See the end of the article for the 12th grade students presentation and Rabbi Fried’s speech.]
Rabbi Shimon shared the heart-wrenching experiences of his son, Tzuriel, a combat engineer in the Israeli army. Tzuriel has faced the harrowing realities of military life, especially following the tragic events of October 7th.
As a combat engineer, Tzuriel serves in one of the most dangerous positions in the army. He completed his mandatory service but was called back into action after the escalation of violence. His first deployment took him to kibbutzim, where he encountered sights and experiences that no young adult should have to bear. The emotional toll of witnessing devastation was profound, especially when he later moved into the high-risk zones of Gaza, confronting threats such as booby traps and snipers.
Tragically, Tzuriel lost friends in the line of duty. One particularly painful loss came just hours after they shared a meal together, a stark reminder of the fragility of life in such perilous circumstances. This traumatic experience deeply affected him, prompting Rabbi Shimon to visit Tzuriel in a bid to provide support. Together with neighbors from Petach Tikvah, Rabbi Shimon prepared a comforting meal of shakshuka for the soldiers on Tzuriel’s base, an act of solidarity and care.
Rabbi Shimon emphasized that true strength lies in unity, stating, “If we are b’achdus, we will be successful! ‘ביחד ננצח’ is not just an army slogan; it is a profound truth!”
Rabbi Shimon also shared a visit to the site of the Nova Festival tragedy, where he collected spent bullets as a somber reminder of the violence. He transformed these remnants of conflict into a sign for the community’s rabbis, inscribed with a pasuk highlighting that Hashem grants us strength and fights for us.
Before the tragic events of October 7th, Rabbi Shimon noted a concerning disunity within Israel. There were instances where Jews could not come together, even in prayer during Yom Kippur. However, the aftermath of the conflict revealed a powerful transformation. He witnessed remarkable achdus among the soldiers, who, despite their diverse backgrounds, united in a shared purpose. They gathered to eat together, embodying the spirit of camaraderie essential for their mission. Rabbi Shimon emphasized that true strength lies in unity, stating, “If we are b’achdus, we will be successful! ‘ביחד ננצח’ is not just an army slogan; it is a profound truth!”
In his call to action, Rabbi Shimon urged the community to foster this unity. He encouraged everyone to refrain from speaking lashon hara, as negativity undermines the very fabric of togetherness. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of daily prayer, recommending that we recite Tehillim to provide spiritual support for the soldiers. He reminded us that our Torah and mitzvot serve as shields of protection during these challenging times.
Rabbi Shimon’s message resonated deeply: in moments of darkness, we must come together, strengthening our bonds and lifting each other through prayer and positivity. Together, we can overcome the challenges we face and emerge stronger as a community. ■
To watch the Mesorah Girls with Rebbetzin Marcy Fried give a moving presentation at the A Texas Tribute event commemorating October 7 click on the following link https://www.youtube.com/live/bJnNHq9ivqA?si=x28JsXV46vm-msfk. Watch at the 4:44 mark. This YouTube video can only be viewed on YouTube due to community guidlines.
