YOM KIPPUR YIZKOR 5785
This year has undoubtedly been the saddest year for the Jewish people in our lifetime. The pain of October 7th, 2023, is so raw that it feels like yesterday. Our Holocaust mantra “Never Again” has been shattered. As we watched the massacre of Jews near Gaza unfold, we thought, “O’ my Gd, not again!” I understand that you know the story very well. But this is Yizkor—just a few days from its anniversary—and we must remember and tell the story again. So here it is.
October 7th was the largest massacre of Jews since the Nazis—slaughtering 1200 women, men and children—including seniors, some over 90 years old—and taking over 250 hostages. 40 babies were slaughtered—some with their heads cut off! Pregnant women’s bellies were cut open and their babies killed. Women were raped and paraded naked through the streets of Gaza! How can anyone fathom such carnage, such brutality, such inhumanity in our time???
We thought, at least with this massacre, the world would see what Hamas really is. Unlike the Nazis, they didn’t hide what they did. They proudly videoed it and with glee posted it for the world to see. Initially, there was great sympathy for Israel around the world. But it didn’t take long for that to change. The very next day, October 8, pro-Hamas rallies began and within weeks, sympathy was replaced with animosity—as a plague of antisemitism was activated in our universities, in our streets and all over the world accusing Israel of “genocide”! Israel??? Israel has fought the most humane war ever—with the lowest urban casualty rates—in trying to defend itself from Hamas terrorists who hide behind and under schools, hospitals and civilians!
Things got so bad I got this email: Dear Rabbi Kunis, I am not sure you remember me. You officiated my Bar Mitzvah long ago, and you officiated my wedding. I hope you are doing well. As you are aware, given the Hamas attack in Israel, anti-Jewish rhetoric and vitriol has spiked of late. As such, we fear for our safety, even more than usual. While I am ashamed to even ask this question (please forgive me), I do so to protect my family. Does Jewish law allow a Mezuzah that currently hangs on the outdoor portion of a front door doorpost to be removed and re-affixed to the indoor portion of the front door of the house, and to hang on the inside portion of the front doorframe so it is not visible from the outside?
What would you say? I told him that the Torah says a mezuzah should be on the doorpost. It doesn’t say it must be on the outside of the door. He could place it on the inside of the doorpost. I told him I’m sorry he was so traumatized by this terror attack and that I look forward to the day when every Jew can proudly display a mezuzah on the outside of their home for all to see.
My friends, I haven’t seen this kind of fear in American Jews in my lifetime. This past year has been the worst for Jews since the Holocaust. And today, on Yom Kippur at Yizkor, we must pause to remember the 1200 savagely killed by Hamas on October 7th. In order for us to have a proper Yizkor to remember these 1200 and those who died since, I have asked a few of our congregants to rise—each representing one who died—and tell you their story:
Juliana Fritts: My name was Roni Eshel, 19. I was one of the communication lookouts at an army base near Kibbutz Nahal Oz—part of the team of soldiers who watches the border fences for Hamas terrorists. The last words that my family ever head me say were: “All stations receive, 4 people are running to the fence, confirm receipt.” PAUSE “2 armed people are running at the fence, confirm receipt.” PAUSE “One armed terrorist has crossed the border, one armed terrorist, confirm receipt,” PAUSE “2 people are standing at the fence...They’re messing with the fence, confirm receipt.” PAUSE “The fence has exploded. People have blown up the fence, confirm receipt.” PAUSE “Receive, there is a hole in the fence; 2 people blew up the fence with a bomb. They are standing next to the hole; they haven’t crossed through it yet.” PAUSE “They have blown up the fence. 3 people are currently standing inside Israel. They are armed. Confirm receipt.”
Surveillance footage goes out a second later, so we don’t know what my final moments actually looked like. This was likely a blessing so my family wouldn’t be left with those images in their minds.
2 neighbors from the kibbutz who survived recounted the horror of the bloodcurdling screams which came from inside our post when the terrorists were able to infiltrate. We put up a fight, but we did not win.
Our neighbors say they cannot close their eyes without hearing our yells and cries. For weeks I warned that Hamas was planning an attack. But I was only a girl and only 19 and no one listened. I, and 14 other girls, were the 1st victims of October 7th. We served our country proudly.
Danielle Tello speaking for Ariel Bibas: I don’t know if anyone can hear me. My name is Ariel, the last time you saw me, I was 4. I think it was my birthday, but I didn’t have a cake, and I didn’t see my friends.
I woke up one morning to loud sounds in the neighborhood and barking dogs. I was really scared, but my Aba told us to go to the safe room and he left the house to protect us.
Some men broke the door down and pushed us into the back of a truck. My mommy looked scared and sad, but she held me and my baby brother in her arms and promised us she wouldn’t let go. For a long time, I’ve been in a scary place under the ground and haven’t had much to eat. I wish I could see the sun again soon.
I’m 2 feet tall and have red hair and freckles. I love going to preschool on my Kibbutz and I wore my Batman costume for Purim. Batman is my favorite. No one knows if I’m dead or alive. Wherever I am, I hope I’m with my little brother Kefir and my mommy Shiri. Maybe I’ll get to see my Aba again one day. He’s strong like me!
Hoshiana Revell speaking for Rose Lubin. Israel, as we all know, has its ups and downs. But I wouldn’t have traded it for anything in the world. If you don’t know me personally, you certainly know girls just like me. I was your neighbor, sister and daughter. My name is Rose Lubin and I grew up around the corner in Dunwoody in a home much like yours, full of light, laughter and love.
I graduated high school just a few short years ago in 2021. I followed my dream and my Zionist upbringing by joining Garin Tzabar and becoming a Lone Soldier upon making Aliyah to Israel. I hope I made my community proud. I became part of Israel’s Elite Border Police guarding the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem. I worked my way up the ranks, instructing other soldiers in fitness and training, eventually becoming a commander in the IDF.
On October 7th, at my adopted family’s home in Sa’ad near the Gaza border, we were startled to wake up to commotion and gunfire. Without a second to think, I grabbed my weapon and headed to the gates of the kibbutz to secure the area. After a long shootout with the terrorists, they retreated. I thought the worst was over. I packed my army bag and headed to Jerusalem to serve with my unit.
A month later, my life was cut short when I was stabbed in the Old City by a terrorist. An outpouring of grief was heard throughout the world, from Tel Aviv to Atlanta.
I loved to write, to draw, to play music, to sing and dance. I was also a high school wrestler, cheerleader, and lover of horses. While I won’t be able to enjoy these things again in this lifetime, I hope that my death was not in vain.
Uriyah Tobias speaking for Erick & Ruth Peretz: Gabriel Haidara: I am Erick Peretz. 16 years ago, my wife and I were blessed with a beautiful baby daughter. Like all of our kids, we had to learn and adapt to the person they are. Ruth was born with Cerebral Palsy and muscular dystrophy. All this meant was that I had to be her legs and her voice. I did so with pleasure.
Of all of my children, Ruth loved music the most. Her wheelchair did not stop her from enjoying a dance party and we were a fixture on the scene. How many dads are able to sing and dance with their daughters well into their teens? How lucky I was.
Last October, Ruth and I set up camp for a music festival in the desert. We were having such a good time that we decided to stay an extra night. Not much of what happened to us at the Nova Music Festival is known, but I was able to get a message to my daughter Ya’arit that Ruth and I were with security and were going to be ok.
Hours later, nothing. When forces finally came in, our family feared that we were taken hostage into Gaza because Ruth’s wheelchair was found close to the border, no bodies in sight. PAUSE Volunteer paramedics found us close to the music festival. We were killed while hugging.
I would never have left Ruth alone for even one second.
Happiness we faced together. Challenges we faced together.
Ruth was a part of me. When we faced death, we faced it together.
Baruch Revell: My name is Hersch Goldberg-Polin. Even if you don’t know me, you certainly know my mother Rachel who had been speaking out for months on my behalf and behalf of all the hostages. Like lots of Israelis my age, I loved going to music festivals all around the globe. While I got to see a few countries, it was always my dream to travel the world.
I was kidnapped from the Nova Music Festival after hiding with others in a bomb shelter on the side of the road. Terrorists tried getting us out of the bunker by throwing in grenades. My friend Aner Shapira managed to throw 7 of the grenades back out before being killed. My arm was blown off from the elbow down. I was then abducted and taken hostage.
After more than 300 days in Hamas tunnels, I was shot point blank along with other hostages days before I was found by the IDF. The medical examiner found me starved, missing an arm, half of my weight, but with defensive marks all over my body. While I didn’t know what was happening on the outside, much like my parents, I fought with my life until the very end.
I’m sorry everyone, that I couldn’t survive. But don’t worry mom, now I’m free.
Lloyd Mendelson speaking for Itay, Etty, Sagi Zak (53, 50, 15): Although we had a safe room, our home in Kibbutz Kissufim was not safe. I am Itay. My wife was Etty. And my son was Sagi. We hid in our safe room as terrorists surrounded our home. We refused their demands to leave the shelter and step outside of the house. Their bullets could not penetrate the steel door of the safe room. Our window was hermetically sealed. We lay quietly on the floor for hours, hoping they would just go away.
While we were sheltering, they became increasingly frustrated. They set fire to our house, and watched it burn while they took turns ravaging the rest of the kibbutz. The walls which once adorned fingerprint paintings and framed photos of family near and far … The walls with the stains of tomato sauce from that boiling-too-hot pot of pasta from the week before … The walls which supported my son when he took his 1st steps … Those same walls which once protected us, now trapped us.
Our home was our safe place. The saying goes, “It’s the most unnatural thing in the world for a parent to watch their child die.” I would disagree. I would say that watching your son gasping for air as tears fill your eyes and smoke fills your lungs is the most unnatural.
My wife, my son and I died in the bomb shelter of our house in Kibbutz Kissufim on October 7th. The most unnatural thing in the world is not watching your child die, but not to be able to mourn at their grave.
After a Jew dies, it is customary, when we mentioned his name to add, Zichrona livracha (May his memory be a blessing). But when one is murdered for being a Jew, we add, Hashem yikom damam (May Gd avenge their blood). We must not forget the victims of October 7th died before their time and that their lives were cut off simply because they were Jews. We must stand guard against such evil in this world wherever it is—be it in the heart of a Hitler or Ali Khamenei of Iran, or in Pittsburgh or in the villages near Gaza and Lebanon. How can one look at evil and not know what to call it? Because you went to college, because you’ve had a “higher education”? Please rise as I recite Yizkor for the victims of October 7th:
Yizkor Elohim nishmot asher nehergu, v’nirtz’chu, v’nisr’fu, v’huf-tz’chu, v’nit-b’chu b’ofen achzari b’Simchat Torah hagoralit al y’dey Gaza, shehalchu l’olamam b’kidush Hashem. B’gan Eyden t’hi m’nuchatam im giborey Yisrael ukedoshav sheb’gan Eyden. Hashem yikom damam. Amen.
May Gd remember the souls who were murdered, strangled, bombed, tortured, beaten, and raped near Gaza on that fateful Simchat Torah that went to their Eternal home for the sanctification of Your Holy Name. may they rest along with the souls of other Jewish Heroes and martyrs in the Garden of Eden. Hashem yikom damam (May Gd avenge their blood). Let us say, Amen!
Please be seated. My friends, even though our hearts are broken with such tragic losses, at Yizkor, we must also remember that amidst all the horrors of October 7th, there were amazing wonders and yes, miracles. We can’t know why or how Gd allowed this to happen ... or why some survived while others didn’t—that’s above our pay grade. But know: Gd was not absent on October 7th. He was certainly seen in how Jews all over the world came together to do what they could.
Like the Jew at JFK Airport the weeks after October 7th who stood at the counter and paid for a ticket for any Israeli soldier trying to return to Israel to join their unit in the army. He bought over 250 tickets worth hundreds of thousands of dollars …. Or like the thousands of Israelis opening their homes to their fellow Israelis who became refugees from the villages near Gaza or on the border of Lebanon … or like the Bar Mitzvah boy near Tel Aviv asking his guests at his reception hall to pack up $10,000 worth of catered food instead of eating it and bring it to hundreds of hungry soldiers … Or like my son Rabbi Joshua Kunis organizing supplies to be sent to Israeli soldiers.
And, no matter where you were last Tuesday, October 1st, you witnessed a pre-Rosh Hashanah miracle. Iran attacked Israel that night with 181 missiles—with even more potent power than the 400 drones and missiles they sent in April. Yet 99% of them failed to hit anything! Those munitions could have killed thousands of Israelis—they killed none. How can we watch this and think, “Well Israel was ok in April’s attack by Iran probably because of its technology, so the same thing happened again.” Yes, my friends, Israel’s technology was amazing—along with allies who helped. But 99% accuracy is simply not humanly possible in defending such attacks. But it is Gdly possible!
On October 7th Hamas targeted the home of an elite army officer because they wanted to get intelligence—no doubt under torture. When the terrorists entered his home, he killed a couple of them, but he was wounded and forced to join his family in their saferoom. The terrorists then set the house on fire. Soon smoke was coming under the door into the saferoom. They were breathing in soot, but they decided to stay as long as they could.
Finally, when they had to open the window, it was eerily quiet. An IDF vehicle came by yelling for survivors. They didn’t know what to do. As this elite soldier crawled out of the window to check it out, he saw 4 laser lights on him from gunsights. Apparently the IDF didn’t know if he was a terrorist climbing out the saferoom. Terrified, he cried out, Shema Yisrael Hashem Elokeynu Hashem Echad, and they were saved!
My friends, we’re seeing miracles happening in front of our eyes that are as great if not greater than any of the miracles in the Bible. 20,000 missiles shot at Israel this past year—from every direction—and it’s always the same. “Report: a rocket fell near the city—no injuries reported.” As if that’s normal??? We’ve gotten so used to it we don’t even pay attention anymore.
The irony of it all is that the enemy is painfully aware that the Gd of Israel is protecting His people. They see it. They know it better than we do. They know everything they try fails. They know it’s not just the Iron Dome. It’s Gd! We also know it’s Gd, but we’re a little ashamed to say it. We see the Miracles. They’re blatant, they’re awesome and they’re daily. Why aren’t we more excited?
So, on Yom Kippur I’m telling you as your rabbi: Get excited! Make your parents whom you remember today proud. Why did the terrorist attack on Simchat Torah? Because this was an attack on those who observe and treasure Gd’s Torah. So, think of one or 2 new Torah mitzvot you can do this New Year and stick it to Hamas by doubling down on everything Jewish in your life.
Say to yourself: “If I was proudly Jewish before, I’ll find ways of being overwhelmingly Jewish.” Fight by having a big Shabbat dinner—inviting friends and neighbors. Fight by putting on tefillin and praying every day for the Hostages and our brave soldiers of the IDF. Fight by being more careful about what you eat. Fight by learning a little Torah for a few minutes every day. Hold off on the Halloween decorations and build a sukkah. They attacked on our day of Torah, so fight by living Gd’s Torah. And if you do so, Gd and your parents will be so proud. Amen!
