Mother of fallen soldier, and United Hatzalah of Israel EMT from Teaneck, calls on public to live more meaningfully.

(Courtesy of United Hatzalah) Two months after her son Eli Moshe was killed in Gaza, Sara Zimbalist from Teaneck shared a moving video calling on the public to embody her son’s admirable traits and dedicate themselves to enriching both their own lives and those of others.

Eli Moshe Zimbalist, just 21 years old at the time of his passing, was one of eight soldiers killed when their armored vehicle was hit by an anti-tank missile in Gaza on June 15. Born in Silver Spring, Maryland, he was 2 years old when his parents, Sara and Simmy Zimbalist, emigrated to Israel, settling in Beit Shemesh.

Described by his mother as having a heart of gold, “Eli Mo” was known for his ability to connect with people, make them feel appreciated, and spread love wherever he went. “He would greet everyone with a smile,” Zimbalist said. “Eli Moshe was a doer. He would see something that needed to be done, and he would go out and just do it or fix it.”

Zimbalist encouraged people to emulate Eli Moshe’s positive qualities. “Every day, try to be a little bit more like Eli Moshe,” she said. “Share a smile, help someone in need, appreciate people, and together we can try to make our lives and other people’s lives more meaningful.”

The video was published on the social media channels of United Hatzalah, where Zimbalist serves as a volunteer medic as part of the organization’s Sandberg Women’s Initiative.