We came to the Kibbutz of Nachal Oz for a truly memorable evening. Our shul put together money to dedicate a Sefer Torah in memory of Captain Daniel Perez. The Perez family wanted the Torah to live in the Mechina in Nachal Oz, which is housed in the Kibbutz of Nachal Oz, just where Daniel was killed defending. The Mechina is a year program for high school graduates before they enter the army. It has a mixture of religious, non-religious and traditional students, all of who spend the year learnin about Jewish identity, Tanach, Jewish philosophy, Zionism and politics. While they do that, they are involved in many acts of helping out the Kibbutz and surrounding areas.
We started with the letter writing which was very powerful as members of the Perez family, including Daniel’s parents, grandparents and siblings wrote letters. Mechina students and YILC members also wrote letters in a beautiful synergy.
Dancing the Torah to the Beis Midrash was a special highlight. There was so much good energy between the Perez family, YILC and the Mechina students.
The Hachnasa was followed by a brief program in which Rabbi Perez spoke followed by me.
Alan Weichselbaum who was the driving force behind this Torah dedication spoke.
Shmuel, who was the head of the Mechina spoke. He also fought in the area on October 7th trying to defend the civilians.
Anat, a Kibbutz member whose children were in the Kibbutz on the day of October 7th, and was instrumental in supporting the Mechina, spoke.
The program closed with words from Avi Frenkel, the father of Naftali Frenkel HYD. He and his wife, Racheli, has dedicated a Torah to the Mechina 10 years prior in Naftali’s memory. The Perez Torah now joined the Frenkel Torah in Nachal Oz.
It was a truly overwhelming day of achdus and strength.