Congregation Beth Abraham members Tzippy and Ezra Giller were at the forefront of organizing an evening of tribute to Eli Kay, HY”D and the Michael Levin Base in Yerushalayim on February 20. Through their son Yossi living in Israel, they are connected to Eli Kay on a personal level and are appreciative of the vital work of the Michael Levin Base.
Two weeks after their marriage, Kasriel and Shani Kay were shocked, along with the entire world, at the tragic news of the stabbing of Kasriel’s brother, former Lone Soldier Eli Kay, 26, in the Old City on his way to work at the Western Wall Heritage Foundation information booth at the Kotel. As he did every morning, Eli would greet the local Arab shopkeepers and purchase his Coke for a shekel less than in a regular grocery store. That morning of November 21, 2021, a mere 91 days ago, a Palestinian schoolteacher and father of four, gun in hand, headed for the Arab shuk with the intention of killing a Jew. Eli was one of his four victims, the only one to succumb to his injuries. At the levaya attended by well over 1,000, it was apparent that Eli had become a symbol to all those who knew him, and even those who didn’t, for his commitment to Eretz Yisrael and the desire to become part of its fabric.
For older brother Kasriel, 37, born as Eli was in Johannesburg, and his bride Shani, who made aliyah from Atlanta, the future was clear. They would devote themselves to a project that would have been close to Eli’s heart. The Michael Levin Base, located at 10 Rechov HaDekel in Yerushalayim, was established shortly before the coronavirus pandemic, in memory of Lone Soldier Michael Levin, who was gunned down in the line of duty in 2006 at the age of 22. The Base, which Levin had envisioned during his service, serves the needs of Lone Soldiers like Michael and Eli. Kasriel now serves as the logistics manager of the Base, joining the devoted staff in its mission.
The Base offers weekly social activities/Shabbat and Chagim hosting and support for Lone Soldiers, Lone Bnot Sheirut, and new olim soldiers. Support is offered through supplementing material needs as well as counseling, which is provided daily at the Base. Advice is also offered to the parents of these young recruits through monthly newsletters, webinars, one-on-one contact and phone calls. The support continues after their service has concluded through post-service guidance to facilitate aliyah, higher education and employment opportunities.
Kasreil and Shani are traveling through the United States to spread the word about the Michael Levin Base and raise the funds needed to support its ongoing programs on behalf of the dedicated young men and women from throughout the world who made the courageous decision to join the IDf and help defend the Jewish State.
Eli’s parents made aliyah from Johannesburg less than a year before their dear son’s tragic murder. In addition to Eli and their oldest son Kasriel having served in combat units in the IDF, their youngest son is currently serving as a commander in the IDF and their daughter will be drafting in May. In remembering Eli, Kasriel talked about how mischievous he was as a boy, often disappearing and playing pranks. He recalled how Eli fell in love with Israel after participating in an Encounter Trip, similar to Birthright, from South Africa.
After attending yeshiva in Australia and subsequently in Har Nof, Eli was determined to enlist in the IDF. As he suffered from allergies, his drafting met with some obstacles and he was sent as a support soldier to the paratroopers. Nobody quite understands how he eventually rose to become a combat soldier in the paratroopers. Two years ago Eli earned his red beret as a commander. He suffered major injuries while serving on the Gaza border but never succumbed to PTSD.
After completing his service, Eli went to work for the newly established organization HaShomer HaChadash, which guarded the fields of farmers from encroachers. There he learned the skills of growing avocados, broccoli and other vegetables. After his stint in agriculture, he decided that he wanted to serve in a position that would provide him with the opportunity to interact with fellow Jews and convey to them the rich history of our people and the need to support the Jewish State. On his way to work at the information booth at the Kotel, he passed the corner in the shuk where he was senselessly gunned down.
Kasriel shared: ”From the huge turnout at his levaya, it is clear that Eli must have been a hero to all kinds of Jews. His independent thinking, his passion for his beliefs, his honesty and integrity, his desire for personal growth and his Chabad-inspired patience in learning with all levels of Jews, connected him to a huge segment of his people. We are in the process of perpetuating his memory through commissioning a sefer Torah for which we will offer single letters at one dollar each so that we can include as many partners as possible, a most fitting tribute to a young man who inspired so many through his commitment.”
When contacted by The Jewish Link, Tzippy Giller, who helped organize the Beth Abraham tribute, recounted: “Our son Yossi drafted to the IDF as a Lone Soldier with Eli Kay in 2017, and remained close to him even after Eli left to assume his commander training and later when they both completed their army service. Yossi described Eli as the guy everyone could lean on and look up to. As a commander, he earned the love and respect of all of his soldiers.When Yossi called home with the devastating news of Eli’s murder, we could hear the pain of this incredible loss in his voice. How could a young man who picked up and left his home and his family to protect the citizens of Israel perish from the tragic fate that had ultimately befallen him? How could a young man on the brink of marriage and starting a family be cut down so suddenly and brutally in the prime of his life?
“As the parents of a son who made similarly brave life choices, we could not imagine what Eli’s family was going through,” Tzippy continued. “The pain was undoubtedly raw and unbearable. Yossi let us know that The Base was offering counseling to those who needed it. We asked him what we could do from afar, and he asked us to participate in helping facilitate Eli’s brother Kasreil in coming to the States to share more about Eli’s story and the lessons to be learned from him. These presentations would help those of us who live outside of Israel comprehend more fully what those who volunteer to serve in the IDF deal with in their vital mission of defending the State.
“We therefore thank the Michael Levin Base, our local shuls and the parents of present and former Lone Soldiers who helped bring Kasriel and Shani Kay to Bergen County to speak. We are proud that our Yossi helped share Eli’s story with the community.”
To donate online to the Michael Levin Base in their work providing pre-army and Sherut assistance, active duty guidance, post-army and Sherut advice and social events, activities and holiday meals, go to: themichaellevinbase.org.il/FRIENDS-OF-THE-MLB/.
Checks can be mailed to: Ne’eman Foundation USA,18 Hazelton Road, Newton, MA 02459.
By Pearl Markovitz
