Unnecessary Tragedy

This is probably the most difficult blog I have written since I started  12 years ago.

In the last few days one of our dearest grandchildren, Eitan, an 18 year old was killed in a car crash that also took the life of one of his friends.

The news was held from us and other family members for 24 hours due the Simchat Torah holiday (the holiday which celebrates the final readings of the 5 books of Moses, and immediate restart anew from the beginning.)

The children were on the way to bring songs, dances and an overall atmosphere of happiness to an elderly community but never made it. The driver and one other passenger were seriously injured. Meanwhile a bus carrying the younger members to the Bet Shemesh (where he lived, ) youth, did reach their destination without realizing the seriousness of the accident to the car behind.

Once the news of the death of the two children was announced to all, a dark cloud hung over the whole Bet Shemesh community. The whole youth of the town were due to go away for a special weekend and although our son and daughter in law told the youth leaders to go ahead with their plans, the youth with a single voice said “no”, we are staying to mourn with you.

The funeral was held at midnight and estimates of the attendance ranged from 1000 to 1500 people, and that in the middle of the night.

As is traditional, the 7 days of mourning were organized at the home of our son and daughter in law and each day we have spent the hours from early morning to late evening receiving hundreds to visitors, many of whom travelled long distances to show their respects to the family members. Visitors to meet our son or daughter in law or the siblings of the deceased ensured that the home and garden where full from morning to night.

The memories of Eitan will be in our minds forever.