By Donald H. Harrison
SAN DIEGO –Songs, psalms, poetry, and prayers recited by clergy and lay leaders of San Diego’s Jewish community were woven through a memorial service on Monday evening, Sept. 2, for six hostages brutally executed by Hamas as they waited defenselessly in tunnels under Rafah, Gaza, for their rescue by the Israel Defense Force.
The service featuring representatives of the spectrum of Jewish religious belief was organized by the Jewish Federation of San Diego and conducted in the sanctuary of Congregation Beth Israel in a show of community unity. Participating in the packed service at the Reform congregation were rabbis and cantors from the Reform, Reconstructionist, Conservative, modern Orthodox, and Chabad movements as well as leaders of non-denominational agencies and Jewish defense organizations.
A poignant feature of the memorial service was the lighting of yahrzeit candles and the recitation of short biographical sketches for each of the six murdered hostages.
Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, an American Israeli whose parents spoke about him at the recent Democratic National Convention when he was still alive and there was hope for his release, was memorialized by Betzy Lynch, chief executive officer of the Lawrence Family JCC and Lila Zemer, a student at Canyon Crest Academy.
In their joint presentation, they said: “Hersh was a brother and a friend. Hersh was a son and for many of us Hersh feels like our son, our brother, our friend. For 331 days, his parents Rachel and Jon stood before the world with a small strip of masking tape stuck to their clothing as a reminder of how long Hersh had been in captivity.
“They stood before the world to share that Hersh was a happy-go-lucky, laid-back, good-humored, respectful, and serious person. He loved soccer, was wild about music and music festivals, and had been obsessed with geography and travel since he was a little boy.
“They stood before the world so that we would know that Hersh was taken hostage from the Nova Festival after being gravely injured while saving the lives of many of his friends. Because of the incredible strength of his parents’ advocacies, Hersh’s life and story were shared across the world. And because of the incredible strength of his family and the powerful words of his mother, all of these beautiful people who were stolen and housed in Gaza could not be seen as just one of many but as the whole human beings that they are — a universe unto themselves.
“May Hersh’s memory be a blessing to us all. And may we be worthy of this blessing and the sacrifice of his parents and his family by loving with all of our heart, proudly being Jewish with all of our soul, and advocating for those remaining in captivity with all of our might. Hersh, we remember you and honor you.
The story of Ori Danino, 25, was told by Zvi Weiss and Sophie Williams, respectively the head of school and a student at San Diego Jewish Academy.
“Having grown up in an ultra-Orthodox family in Jerusalem and after completing his service as a paratrooper in the IDF, Ori Danino was preparing to live his dreams. He had plans to travel the world. He was enrolling to study electrical engineering, and he was engaged to be married within the year to the love of his life, Liel Avraham.
“Ori was the son of Einav and Elhanan. The eldest of five, his brothers worshipped him. Ori was an avid motorcyclist known for his free spirit, love of nature and skills as a handyman. He enjoyed traveling, cooking and was a hard-core fan of the Betar Yerushalayim soccer team. Ori was admired for his ambition, love for people, and warm personality. He always had a smile on his face and was beloved by all who knew him.
“At the Nova Festival, Ori managed to escape the initial horror. However, after getting to safety, he made the brave decision to return to the site to rescue three new friends he had met at the festival: Itai and Mia Regev and Omer Shem Tov. While fleeing the area a second time, Ori’s car was attacked by Hamas and Ori along with his passengers were kidnapped and taken to Gaza.
“Liel, Ori’s fiancée, shared that Ori couldn’t have lived with himself had he not tried to rescue [Mia, Itai, and Omer], all of whom have thankfully been released. Tragically, Ori was murdered in a tunnel beneath Rafah along with the five other hostages we are remembering tonight. A multitude of motorcycles bearing Israeli flags participated in the procession as he was brought to burial on Mt. Herzl yesterday. He was 25 years old. May his memory be a blessing.”
Alexander Lobanov, 33, a Russian Israeli, was remembered by Fabienne Perlov and Sarah Brown, respectively the San Diego regional directors of the Anti-Defamation League and the American Jewish Committee.
“Alexander Lobanov went by Alex and he lived in the southern city of Ashkelon with his wife Michal and their first child. He was 32 years old and managing the bar at the Nova Music Festival when he was brutally attacked and abducted on October 7th. Witnesses shared that he had helped to evacuate people before he was abducted. At the time that he was stolen from us, Alex’s wife Michal was pregnant with their second child. She gave birth to Kai while Alex was held in captivity.
“On or around August 31st, Alex was brutally murdered by Hamas. He was laid to rest in Israel yesterday. His wife said, ‘Love of my life, it is really true that God takes the best. I want to focus on your love of others, the love of life and freedom — a freedom that was taken from you on October 7th by those despicable people. You were the best father in the world, the best person that I knew.’
“May Alex’s memory be a blessing.”
Carmel Gat, 40, was eulogized by Dana Toppel and Michael Hopkins, respectively the incoming CEO and the retiring CEO of Jewish Family Service of San Diego:
“Carmel Gat, aged 40, was staying at her parents’ home in the border kibbutz of Be’eri when Hamas fighters broke in around 10 a.m., October 7th. They forcibly took her away. She was visiting from Tel Aviv where she was working as an occupational therapist set to begin a master’s degree study program at Hebrew University in Jerusalem in October. Be’eri was one of the hardest-hit kibbutzim communities on October 7th with Hamas killing 101 of its residents, including children. Thirty people were abducted from the kibbutz that day. During the attack, Hamas killed her mother, Kinneret. Carmel, along with her brother Alon, sister-in-law Yarden, and niece Geffen were all taken captive. Alon and his 3-year-old daughter Geffen managed to escape their captors and remain free. Yarden, 36, initially escaped but was recaptured. She was held hostage in Gaza and was released on November 29th as part of the Qatari-brokered ceasefire deal.
“After 50 days without a sign of life, Carmel’s family received testimony from returned hostages who described her as their guardian angel. She helped them endure captivity. She taught them meditation and yoga. Carmel was full of compassion and love, always finding ways to support and help others, according to the Hostage Families’ Forum. She loved solo travel, meeting new people, and live rock music. She was particularly fond of the English rock band Radiohead. Tonight, we hold in our hearts the remaining hostages and mourn Carmel’s loss along with the loss of all innocent victims of this war. As has been said: ‘In a competition of pain, there are no winners.’
Almog Sarusi, 27, was remembered by Rabbi Josef Fradkin and Sali New, respectively head of school and a student of the Chabad Hebrew Academy:
“We remember you and we honor your memory. … His name was Almog Sarusi. He was a son, a brother, a friend .. Courage, commitment, joy–this was Almog, a vibrant soul who brought light and happiness to the world. Almog had a passion for exploring Israel in his white jeep, always with his guitar by his side. A play, a concert, any event across Israel, you could count on Almog being there.
“Almog went to the Nova Music Festival with Shahar, his girlfriend of five years. During their escape, Shahar was shot. Almog stopped the vehicle to stop the bleeding. Almog stayed by Shahar’s side, trying to protect her even in the face of danger. Almog was captured trying to save Shahar. He wouldn’t give up for even a second on the love of his life. He was taken hostage and dragged to (G)Aza, showing bravery and determination throughout.
“We remember the joy Almog brought to those …We remember Almog’s relentless compassion and positivity. How he must have lived his last 330 days in darkness, tormented about Shahar and the loss of freedom to enjoy the world so filled with beauty and life. Almog’s spirit will live on … He is together with Shahar now. Almog, your name will forever be associated with courage, commitment and zest for life…
Eden Yerushalmi, 24, was memorialized by Karen Parry and Ori Lerer, respectively the San Diego regional director of Hillel and a Hillel student.
“Her name was Eden Yerushalmi. We remember her and honor her memory … She was a sister. She was a daughter. She was a friend. She had a smile that brightened the room and a laugh that was electric. She loved to dance. She was an amazing friend. Eden was bartending at the Nova Festival October 7th. She hid in a car next to her murdered friends for four hours after running for her life. She was stolen by terrorists, survived 11 months through unimaginable trauma, and was murdered mere days before being rescued. But we are choosing not to remember her only as someone who was violently stolen and murdered. … We are choosing to remember her light. We are choosing to remember her in joy. Her name was Eden Yerushalmi. We remember her and honor her memory.”
Three shinshinim — Israeli high school graduates doing a year’s overseas service here in San Diego — lit six large memorial candles in memory of those slain hostages.
Participants in the service prior to the candle lighting included Rabbi Cantor Jeremy Gimbel of Congregation Beth Israel; Danny Myers; Rebecca Myers; host Rabbi Jason Nevarez; singer Lital Gottlieb; Rabbi Scott Meltzer of Ohr Shalom Synagogue and his wife Jennifer; Noy Nehardea, executive director of the Israeli American Council; and Heidi Gantwerk, president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of San Diego.
Following the candle lighting service, participants included Rabbi David Kornberg of Congregation Beth Am; Rabbi Daniel Reich of Congregation Adat Yeshurun; Cantor Billy Tiep of Temple Solel; student Ari Gimbel; Rabbi Eric Ertel, executive director of the San Diego Jewish Experience; Rabbi Yael Ridberg of Congregation Dor Hadash; Rabbi Alexis Berk of Temple Solel; Rabbi Devorah Marcus of Temple Emanu-El, and Rabbi Elana Ackerman Hirsch of Congregation Beth Israel.
U.S. Congress members Sara Jacobs and Scott Peters joined the participants on stage for the closing ceremony, which included the singing of Oseh Shalom (a prayer for peace) and Israel’s National Anthem, Hatikvah (The Hope).
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Donald H. Harrison is publisher and editor of San Diego Jewish World.