Tragedy occurs. The family is engulfed in grief. Their world turns dark. Despair accompanies them every moment as they try to plod through the daily routines. But the rare hero finds the strength to emerge out from under the rubble of torment and sorrow to assuage the pain of another. And, in so doing, his own sun begins to shine again.
Yedidya fell in Lebanon 24 years ago. Seven soldiers had been wounded by an explosive device, some of them very seriously. In spite of the heavy shelling, Yedidya, a medic, continued going from one to the next. He gave his friends’ lives precedence over his own, and while treating them, he was hit and killed.
“The day we got up from shivah (week of mourning),’ said Yedidya’s mother, “Ezer Mizion ran a campaign to recruit bone marrow samples. We went straight from the shivah to register. We also donated the money that had accumulated in the charity boxes at the shiva to Ezer Miizon. Recently, when we thought about how to memorialize our son, we decided that establishing a donor pool in his name would be a suitable cause. Yedidya died while saving lives. What could eternalize him better that a life-saving Registry! So far, three lives have been saved by Yedidya’s donor pool. Every time they call us from the Registry, we are gratified to hear that another person will have a future in the zechut (merit)of Yedidya.”
Aryeh served as Battalion Commander. His friends describe him as a person with a high level of sensitivity and responsibility for the klal,
On October 7th, Aryeh was killed by terrorist gunfire at Camp Yiftach. His family and friends sought a way to eternalize the amazing person that he was. They rallied to the cause and together purchased an ambulance that would join Ezer Mizion’s fleet, numbering 22 fully-fitted ambulances and accessible vehicles for the disabled, which graciously and respectfully transport patients and mobility-impaired individuals, at no fee.
The ambulance was inaugurated at an impressive and moving ceremony and joined Ezer Mizion’s ambulance network, which fills significant roles, especially at this difficult period.
The ambulance is dedicated in memory of Major Aryeh Tziring z”l, and the legacy he left us of humility, of seeing, really seeing, the next person, and of commitment to Am Yisrael.
Yedidya and Aryeh, two heroes who were killed while saving lives, will continue to help and assist others even after their death thus assuring that their light will never be extinguished.
