Saturday, October 21, 2017

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.

6 comments:

Sheila said...

My heart goes out to you and the entire Palmer family. Tragedy indeed, unnecessary, certainly. Young lives filled with hope and future plans snuffed out in a moment leaving you broken and devastated.
Please accept our deepest condolences.
May you be consoled among the mourners of Zion.
הַמָּקוֹם יְנַחֵם אֶתְכֶם בְּתוֹך שְׁאַר אֲבֵלֵי צִיּוֹן וִירוּשָלַיִם
ברוך דיין האמת

Unknown said...

No words of comfort suffice at a time like this

May you all (the family ) have. some comfort by remembering him as he was
and that he and his friends were on the way to perform a mitzvah

Unknown said...

So sorry for your family's loss

DovR said...

So sad to learn of your grandson Eitan's fatal accident. My deepest sympathy and condolences to you Stuart and the family on your tragic loss. A fine young man, a "tsadik" Yehi Zichro Baruch, may his memory be blessed

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