"The last time we saw him was on Rosh Hashanah": The holidays that sharpen the longing for bereaved families
Dozens of bereaved families, accompanied by the "One Family" organization and in cooperation with the Western Wall Heritage Foundation, went on a joint Selichot tour through the alleys of the Jewish Quarter, stopping at the stones of the Western Wall. Yehudit Hershkovitz, mother of the late Netanel Hershkovitz who fell in the Gaza Strip in October 2024, recalls the last moments with her son on Rosh Hashanah. Galit, who lost her daughter Noam in a terror attack, shares how the Days of Awe have taken on a different meaning following the tragedy. The tour aimed to provide an anchor of belonging and shared strength within a sea of pain.
Dozens of bereaved families, accompanied by the "One Family" organization and in cooperation with the Western Wall Heritage Foundation, went on a joint Selichot tour through the alleys of the Jewish Quarter, stopping at the stones of the Western Wall. Yehudit Hershkovitz, mother of the late Netanel Hershkovitz who fell in the Gaza Strip in October 2024, recalls the last moments when the home was still full. "The last time we saw him face to face was on Rosh Hashanah," she says. "Rosh Hashanah has become a particularly difficult holiday for us since then." Galit, who lost her daughter Noam in a terror attack, shares how the Days of Awe have changed for her: "On the first Yom Kippur after Noam was killed, I experienced 'Unetanneh Tokef' in a completely different way. The words take on a different meaning when you already know how life can change in an instant." The CEO of the "One Family" organization, Moshe Swill, addressed the critical need for such meetings specifically during the holiday season, when the sense of absence is especially sharpened. The tour was intended to allow families to be together, to pray, to remember, and to share moments with those who know the struggle up close.