I saw hope in a place of darkness tonight

I was privileged (and I use that word carefully) to have been at a funeral tonight which in the midst of true darkness and utter sorrow showed the hope that is the Jewish spirit. It showed everything that is the opposite of how our detractors describe us.

The funeral of an officer – Eliav Abitbol – the son of a close client/friend of 15+ years – was tragic. A loving husband leaving behind his true love, father to beautiful young kids, brother to very close siblings, commanding officer to very bereft soldiers and a son whose parents are having to do what no parent wants ever to do.

He was killed in battle in Lebanon as a hero who went above and beyond his responsibility to defend his country.

At the funeral which started after midnight on Mount Herzel and lasted for over two hours there was not a single word of anger, hate or revenge of any sort.

There was a father and mother who spoke about the critical need to honor their son by doing everything possible to stay united as a people and respect the different parts of society that make up our hole – to live his example.

There were the siblings who praised the pure soul of their brother who guided them with a message of positivity, love and committment and how they would look after collectively his kids and loving wife so that they share the loss.

There was his commanding officer who was himself wounded crying out how his faithful deputy gave everything to the last minute for his country.

Lastly was his wife who loves him so so dearly and wishes him home with her. The sadness and pain was so strong. I don’t know his wife but I felt her love so strongly.

They all highlighted the giving nature of this hero – a kidney transplant to save someone’s life, running a home with his wife for troubled kids. This is a man (and family) who gave gave gave.

This is the hope …. This family of kids and parents who put their country and community first, who put love over hate and who see the good in others, who seek no revenge to the enemy but fight it like heroes.

This is how we will defeat this terror and rebuild.

I feel the pain for this precious family and I pray that they find comfort in their sadness from their hero.

I pray we honor this hero by living up to his example and building bridges in our society and going to nth degree to serve our state.

I saw hope tonight in a place of darkness.

A truly beautiful family mourning a beautiful soul.