First Israeli grandfather to Fall in Active Duty Becomes a Symbol of Hope

Stand for Israel  |  July 11, 2024

Israeli soldiers, mortar shells, Gaza Strip
(Photo: Flash90)

In a small step of resilience, Elon Wiess’ family holds a birthday party for 2-year-old Yahav, a young member of the family. This is one tiny act of hope while the family is still in shiva, the Jewish week of mourning, for the loss of their grandfather who died in Gaza on active duty, reports The Jerusalem Post:

Elon Wiess’ family celebrated 2-year-old Yahav’s birthday in their home in Psagot, last month. Yet this tiny celebration was anything but ordinary – it was held amid the family’s Shiva, the traditional Jewish week of mourning, as they were grieving Elon’s loss. The forty-nine-year-old fell in Northern Gaza after his tank hit a landmine set for the IDF troops operating in the area.

“It was a very difficult situation,” shared Asaf, Elon’s brother. “In the middle of Shiva, while we were still wearing our torn-up clothes, Neta (Elon’s widow) and the children decided that they had to celebrate Yahav’s birthday, that despite everything, this little girl deserves a birthday.”