Page 55 - HaMizrachi Tu BiShvat 5782 - USA

My Nephew Never

Liked Goodbyes

A tribute to Eli Kay, hy”d, who was murdered by a Hamas

terrorist in the Old City of Jerusalem on November 21, 2021

Rabbi Eli Levin

y nephew Eli never liked became a guide at the Western Wall response to hatred is not hate but edu-
long goodbyes. When we and had just been accepted to study cation and tolerance. We are asking
traveled to see each other, at IDC with aspirations to become a people to do something in Eli’s honor
Mhe preferred a quick fare- diplomat. and tolerance is a good place to start.
well hug rather than dwelling on the
departure. His final ‘goodbye’ when he Above all Eli was a person who valued Eli enjoyed his daily coffee from the
life and all human beings. The depth
was murdered in the Old City of Jeru- of the tragedy is that Jerusalem Arab café he frequented.
salem took just a matter of seconds, given the chance, When the vendor noticed that Eli had
but the legacy of his short life will last he would have not visited his store for a few days, he
forever. went to find him at the Western Wall.
befriended his Alas, he won’t find him there
It is tragic that Eli was murdered in a attacker. now, but the values of Eli Kay’s
senseless act of terror. He was a young Through life will always be etched into
man on a dynamic journey. Passionate the tears the history of the stones.
about exploring different aspects of and out-
life, he was a keen musician, talented rage that  Originally published in the
at water sports, a hugely intelligent we have Jewish Chronicle.
student and a loyal friend to so many.
experienced from
On graduating school in South Africa he thousands, we hold Rabbi Eli Levin is one of the rabbinic team
made Aliyah, studied at yeshivah, served tight to the belief and executive director of South
as a paratrooper in the IDF, took up that the Hampstead Synagogue in
his first job which was in agriculture, Jewish London, UK.

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