There is no comfort in the knowledge that in two years of war, Israel has lost approximately 1,650 soldiers and civilians who were either murdered or fell in battle, compared to 2,591 soldiers who, in a period of three weeks, paid the supreme sacrifice in the Yom Kippur War. There was less military sophistication half a century ago, and Israel, with a smaller army than it has now, was fighting against a coalition of Arab armies led mostly by Egypt and Syria.
Much has been written about the Yom Kippur War, and now and again a new book or article appears because the wound has not healed and the investigation was not completed.
Much more has been written and will be written about the period from before October 7, 2023, and the years that followed. Many photographs testifying to what happened will be available due to the advanced technology, which enables everyone with a cell phone to be a photographer.
Many of the victims and fallen soldiers were in their late teens and early twenties. Only after their deaths did their families become aware of how talented their sons and daughters had been as writers and musicians, and what they could have given to the world. University students who fell in battle might have become great scientists, economists, doctors, and lawyers. Who can even begin to imagine what Israel lost?
All the available published texts and photographs have been collected by the National Library of Israel, which, soon after October 7, 2023, created a “Memorial Wall for the Murdered and Fallen.”
This memorial display, featuring the images and names of murdered civilians and fallen IDF soldiers on and since October 7, 2023, is projected on a giant 20-meter-long screen.
The library has received numerous requests from communities in Israel and around the world asking whether a similar display might be available for use in memorial ceremonies marking the anniversary of the October 7 massacre and the war, says Rachel Neiman, the library’s head of international media and public relations.
In response to these requests, the library has created a set of high-quality files of the Memorial Wall for the Murdered and Fallen, which are available for downloading in English and Hebrew for print and for digital on-screen display. As painful as it is to look at all the faces on the wall, the overwhelming majority of which belong to very young people, it is an important means of acknowledging that not so long ago, they were vibrant individuals. The files can be downloaded free of charge at nli.org.il/en/visit/exhibitions-and-displays/displays/7-october-victims
Israel National Library's tribute to the fallen since Oct. 7
■ IN ADDITION to the overall tribute by the National Library to the murdered and the fallen, there are individual and small group memorials created by families of the deceased, the communities in which they lived, the schools from which they graduated, and the universities they attended, but where their studies had been disrupted by their service in the army.
Even in death, they can still serve with trees planted in their memories. Every tree is more than a sapling; it is a symbol of remembrance, a sign of hope, and an eternal bond with the land they loved, says Ifat Ovadia-Luski, the chairwoman of Keren Kayemet LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund, which has launched a memorial tree-planting drive to ensure that the names of the dead will not be forgotten. Trees have always been important to Israel, and as the saplings grow, they increasingly become the visible symbols of life.
■ WOMEN ARE increasingly taking executive roles in Jewish community life, academia, and industry. A recent example is Karen Abravanel, who has been appointed chief legal and compliance officer of the UJA-Federation of New York. She succeeds Ellen Zimmerman, who has retired after serving in the role for more than 30 years.
Abravanel will guide UJA through an evolving legal landscape and ensure the continuation of its vital work caring for people in need, strengthening Jewish life, responding to global crises, and confronting antisemitism. She will be responsible for overseeing all legal and compliance matters related to UJA’s operations.
“After more than 30 years at UJA, Ellen played a vital role in UJA’s success,” said the organization’s CEO Eric S. Goldstein. “She is a deeply respected lawyer whose judgment and integrity have guided the organization through decades of growth. I’ve been fortunate to benefit from her wise counsel and friendship. As we thank Ellen, we also welcome Karen, a seasoned legal leader with deep experience in governance, compliance, and litigation. Karen’s strategic mindset, coupled with her strong ties to Jewish communal life, make her an ideal fit for UJA.”
Abravanel said that she was honored to join UJA-Federation at this critical moment. “UJA is an institution whose impact and values I’ve long admired. The scale and scope of UJA’s work – across philanthropy, community partnerships, and global engagement – present meaningful legal considerations that demand clarity, strategy, and sound judgment. I look forward to helping steward the organization’s mission with the highest standards of legal and ethical integrity,” she added.
Early in her career, Abravanel clerked for chief justice Aharon Barak at Israel’s Supreme Court and interned for Yossi Beilin when he was justice minister.
A staunch supporter of Israel, especially in a time of need, the UJA-Federation of New York has transferred more than $300 million in aid to Israel over the past two years. The funds have been used to support the families of hostages, survivors of the Nova festival, people impacted by the war with Iran, mental health services, wounded soldiers and their families, the rehabilitation of communities, and more.
■ LOOKING AROUND at the traffic chaos, some Jerusalemites are asking themselves why they don’t go to live elsewhere. But sometimes it pays to be a Jerusalemite, especially a card-carrying Jerusalemite, which entitles the bearer to various perks, including discounts on cultural and sporting events. For instance, holders of cards that testify to them being residents of Jerusalem will receive a discount on the cost of tickets to the Sha’rim Meneshama Concert at the Sultan’s Pool on October 9. All the performers are well-known exponents of Mediterranean soul music, and include such popular entertainers as Moshik Afia, Eli Luzon, Avi Bitter, Tamir Gal, Asala, Eti Levi, Ilan Cohen, Eli Kafka, Haim El, Yossi Eden, Koko from Eilat, Reuven Hamalach, and David Guetta, plus a 10-member band.
It should be a top-notch evening.
Anyone planning on going should be aware that Jerusalem can be very cold at night and should dress appropriately.
■ AFTER SHE completed the sale of the extremely valuable Codex Sassoon, which is now housed in the ANU Museum, Sharon Mintz, the senior global Judaica expert at Sotheby’s, is gearing up for the sale of yet another rare Judaica object – an 11th- or 12th-century kiddush cup, which she calls a Cup of Joy. The cup, or more accurately a goblet, originally belonged to a Simcha Amsalem, whose name it bears. It is engraved with blessings in Hebrew and Arabic, wishing all who drink from it health, prosperity, and property. No matter how much time passes, basic human values don’t change.
■ THE GENESIS Prize, established by Stan Polovets, co-founder and chairman of The Genesis Prize Foundation, has helped to make millions of dollars available to charitable organizations. Despite heavy outlays of funds by numerous Jewish organizations and individuals in support of Israel during a period in which one crisis has followed another, there have also been great Jewish achievements, according to Polovets. “At The Genesis Prize Foundation, we believe that even in the darkest times – and especially in the darkest times – Jewish achievement is worth celebrating,” he says. “It’s our way of fighting despair: recognizing those who reflect the best of who we are, including scientists, artists, educators, entrepreneurs, and humanitarians – Jews who inspire pride, hope, and resilience.”
He is inviting nominations that include inspiring Jews from all walks of life who inspire pride, hope, and resilience.
The Genesis Prize is a $1 million award that does not go to the prize winner, but to a charity or charities chosen by the winner.
Anyone who feels a connection to the Jewish world can participate.
India's embassy in Israel commemorates 107th anniversary of Battle of Haifa
■ INDIA OPENED an embassy in Tel Aviv in 1992, but not many people are aware that relations between the two countries go back much further. There is an Indian hostel inside Herod’s Gate in Jerusalem, and there is an Indian Cemetery in Haifa, where Indians who fell in battle while fighting with the British Army, more than a century ago, are buried.
Last week, the Embassy of India commemorated the 107th anniversary of the Battle of Haifa, honoring the courage and valor of Indian soldiers of the erstwhile Jodhpur, Mysore, and Hyderabad Lancers, who liberated Haifa in 1918.
The solemn ceremony was attended by Ambassador JP Singh, Haifa Mayor Yona Yahav, and a host of distinguished dignitaries, including defense attachés of several countries, IDF representatives, members of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), an Indian contingent from UNDOF, and members of the Indian diaspora in Israel.
Together, they paid homage to the supreme sacrifice of Indian soldiers for this land – a legacy, said Indian representatives, that continues to strengthen the unbreakable bond of friendship between India and Israel.