The Givati Brigade lights candles for the Hanukkah holiay with bereaved families. Photo: IDF Spokesperson

More Articles IDF Goes Green Soldiers of Valor "If there will be a war, I am sure we will win" Bone Marrow Donation Station at IDF Induction Base Peres: "We cannot bring politics into the military" Israeli Navy Rescues Man Stranded at Sea All Articles

On Tuesday (Dec. 15) the Givati Brigade stopped its routine activities in order to participate in an extremely important tradition. The Commander of the Brigade, Col. Moni Katz, the Battalion's commanders, the Commander of the Gaza Division, Brig. Gen. Eyal Eisenberg, and the previous Givati Brigade Commander, Col. Ilan Malka, gathered at Ramat Ef'al in order to light the 5th candle of the Hanukkah holiday, together with the people who have paid the highest price, the bereaved families of the Brigade.

A day full of experience had been planned for the families like every year during Hanukkah. After meeting for breakfast, the families were each taken to one of four sites: the Hiriya Visitors' Center, the Shafdan water treatment plant, the Harry Oppenheimer Diamond Museum and the Yehiel Nahari Museum of Far East Art.  Afterwards, the entire group reconvened for a tour of the Ramat Gan Safari park and from there to Ramat Ef'al to meet the senior Givati Brigade commanders for an active show by performer Arale Kaminski. Throughout the entire day the families were accompanied by the Brigade's educational staff and members of the Center for Injured Soldiers.

This was the twentieth time the tradition of lighting Hanukkah candles with bereaved families took place in the Brigade. Back then, there were 14 families.  Today unfortunately, approximately 200 Givati Brigade soldiers have fallen. This tradition was started by the Brigade Commander and the former Major General of the Southern Command, Maj. Gen. (res) Dr. Yom Tov Samia, together with Lt. Col. (res) Yitzchak Moyal and Lt. Col. (res) Giora Kidar, who still attend this event every year.

"Every year this institution gets stronger and stronger," said Col. Katz to the families during dinner. "You are our light and our courage in all that we do, you give strength to those who need to use it to get up and train, and you give courage to those who need to use it on the battlefield. I am happy that I have the opportunity to say to you all thank you, and happy holiday."

Friendship in Bereavement

During the course of the years friendships have been forged among the bereaved parents, but an outside observer would not be able to identify the unifying factor among everyone to be great loss. Late Cpl. Ezra David was killed during his advanced training.  His mother Ilana David arrived for the event with her friends Shosh Graveli and Chulda Oz, who they themselves are also bereaved parents to sons from the same Brigade. "Despite the fact that ten years have already passed, it still feels like it was yesterday," Ilana remembers. "A terrible thing happened to us, but there are still things that warm the heart."

In addition, Penina Regev, the mother of late Sgt. Yuval Regev, arrived with her husband and friends who also lost their sons during their respective military service in the Brigade. "Yuval was killed by a car bomb in Kfar Darom", Penina tells. "There were eight other casualties with him. Yuval wanted to be in the Givati Brigade because it was a young brigade and he thought he would be able to have more of an impact there, he loved his brigade and his commanders very much."

Years ago Penina felt that the Brigade's events for bereaved families would be difficult for her.  After a family friend, a past Commander of the Givati Brigade, Col. (res) Moni Chorev convinced her to try it once, she changed her mind. "When I arrive here I feel that I am a part of this amazing enterprise," Penina explains. "There is so much warmth, caring, personal attention, support and love here.  During the entire day there was a really positive atmosphere, and a lot of respect."