The world awoke on Sunday morning to the horrific news that an American activist oleh, Ari Fuld H”YD, was stabbed to death while shopping in Efrat. The video of the stabbing shows how even though he was mortally wounded he chased his attacker and shot at him. By now the event has been chronicled all over the internet and has reached the major media outlets as well.
The funeral on Sunday night was broadcast live. Thousands of people thronged both inside and outside. Before the actual service the crowd sang mournful tunes, and loud sobbing was audible throughout the eulogies delivered by Ari’s father, siblings and son.
Ari’s parents, Rabbi Yonah and Mary Fuld, are good friends and we enjoy a strong collegial relationship. For many years he served as the principal of SAR in Riverdale, and we worked together on the Educators Council of America. He is a master teacher and pedagogue. Rabbi Fuld made sure that Zionism and ahavat Eretz Yisrael was taught at SAR as not just an adjunct but a major component of who we are as contemporary Modern Orthodox Jews.
Years prior to Nefesh B’Nefesh, Ari announced he was making aliyah to serve in the IDF. Rabbi Fuld found himself awash in mixed emotions. He was anxious for his son’s safety, yet at the same time he was immensely proud that his son took to heart what he had been teaching all those years. Soon afterward the entire Fuld family made aliyah. It is interesting to note that Rabbi Fuld’s immediate predecessor, Rabbi Shelly Chwat, also made aliyah.
Ari Fuld was not just an American oleh. He became the best example of what it means to be a Hardal Jew in Israel. Haredi Dati Leumi, religious and nationalistic. He worked for Standing Together, a nongovernmental organization that provides support for Israeli soldiers and was well known for his social media posts and TV appearances defending Israel and its military. He was scheduled to leave in the coming weeks on a speaking tour in the United States. In addition, according to the JTA, he was about to launch a new Israel advocacy website in English.
This father of four was indefatigable in his defense of Israel and often debated Palestinian leaders, showing the fallacy of their positions. He was also dedicated to making the life of IDF soldiers more bearable. His acts of chesed were manifold; he was a ben Torah always with a sefer in hand, and an inspiration to all. He was universally eulogized as a lion (Ari), a gibor, and a hero in Israel.
As Modern Orthodox Jews, we support Israel and believe in aliyah as an abstract ideal. There are many reasons why more of us do not move to Israel, while we roundly applaud those who do. We teach our children about the importance of Israel and many of them do make aliyah.
Israelis by and large go about their business unless and until something tragic happens. Yes, they serve in the IDF and do reserve duty, but it is a duty. Some motivated and idealistic Israelis live in settlements. They are usually more outspoken about the ongoing conflict. Ari lived and breathed and advocated pure Zionism. V’shavu banim ligvulam.
Just living in Israel is a great merit (zechut), but living there and working 24/7 on behalf of Israel and how it needs to be perceived in the world is something special. Ari Fuld was special. His legacy is more permanent than any monument. May his family find consolation among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
By Rabbi Dr. Wallace Greene
Rabbi Dr. Wallace Greene believes that Zionism should be taught as a regular subject, not just around Yom Ha’atzmaut and Yom Yerushalayim.
