Bewilderment and nerves ran wild when we found out that we were the only six girls from the group with the opportunity to go to Ehud Goldvasser’s and Eldad Regev’s funerals. We didn’t know what to expect but we knew it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience to be at an event that was going down in history as the finale of a war.

 

At Ehud’s funeral in Nahariya, watching his machlaka carry his coffin past us, while surreal, reminded us that soldiers are brothers and will stick together whether dead or alive. Listening to his proud defense minister, wife, friend, and incredibly strong mother, we understood that G-d, in His intricate processes, only takes the best.

 

During our roadside break between the two funerals, reality hit as the 10-15 Red Cross trucks drove past us, carrying almost two hundred Hizbula bodies on their way back to Lebanon. The trucks were completely closed and had a dignified aura about them. But we were confused – we couldn’t remember our math teacher ever indicating that two could possibly equal more than two hundred. It was also then that we understood the appreciation, beyond words, that we felt towards Zeev Schwartz, World Bnei Akiva's Secretary General, who had offered to take us with him that day.

 

At Eldad’s funeral in Haifa, Ofer Regev declared, “I am proud of you, Eldad, my younger brother.” as strangers unanimously agreed with flowing tears and the words rung out through TV and radio stations live throughout the country.

 

Although the day was an emotional rollercoaster, we were definitely sure about one thing: we had never been so proud to be wearing the blue and white Bnei Akiva chultza, knowing that we represent not only a Zionist youth group, but that we could say with conviction that we were part of the huge project that is the State of Israel. The highlight of our day was the humility we felt to have the opportunity to personally thank Udi and Eldad for dying for us, for what our youth group stands for, and ultimately for our country.

 

 

Your Name *

Email * [will not be published]

Title *

Comments *   [no html allowed]

* Please enter this code into the field below it  Letters are not case sensitive.  Load New Code