Community members gathered at the Sandler Family Campus on Wednesday, April 30 to recognize Israel Remembrance Day (Yom HaZikaron) – a solemn occasion dedicated to remembering Israel’s fallen soldiers and victims of terror attacks.
Leading the heartfelt ceremony were Tidewater’s Shinshinim, Danielle Hartman and Emily Patyuk, who guided attendees through an emotional tribute to the more than 25,400 lives lost in battle and violence. Among those remembered were Yulia Vakser Downov, Amit Mann, and Daniel Perez, brave soldiers and first responders who selflessly risked their lives on October 7, 2023, while protecting others. Perez’s body remains in Hamas captivity, and prayers were shared for his return, along with the return of all hostages still held.
The ceremony also honored the memories of combat soldiers Reef Harush, Shahar Friedman, and Eyal Mevorach Twito, by reading the final letters they wrote before going into battle and making the ultimate sacrifice. Their words were a powerful reminder of the personal courage and deep love they had for their homeland. Prayers were offered for the soldiers currently on the front lines, reflecting on the continued struggles for peace and security.
A particularly moving moment came when Emily Patyuk performed If Tomorrow I Die, a song by Liran Danino, capturing the essence of sacrifice and hope with stunning grace.
As the ceremony drew to a close, it was clear the gathering was not just about mourning; it was about connection. Connection to stories, to names, to faces – each one an entire world and a promise to let their legacy live on – in everyone’s hearts, words, and actions.
To learn more about the Shinshinim program in Tidewater and other Israel-related programming, contact Nofar Trem, United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Israel engagement manager at Ntrem@UJFT.org or visit JewishVA.org.