Soldier Killed on Holocaust Day While His Holocaust-Survivor Grandmother Attended Bergen-Belsen Ceremony
Tragic Loss during a Time of Remembrance
On Holocaust Day, a tragic incident struck as Sergeant Assaf Kafri, a 26-year-old reserve soldier from Bet Hashmonai in the Gederah Regional Council, was killed in combat in northern Gaza. This heartbreaking event coincided with a significant family moment, as his 96-year-old great-grandmother, Magda Bertz, who survived the Holocaust, was en route to a ceremony marking the occasion at the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp.
Background of the Fallen Soldier
Assaf Kafri was the eldest of four brothers and a student of engineering at Ariel University. He had been called up for reserve duty for the fourth time since the onset of the Iron Swords war. According to family members, Kafri was deeply motivated by a sense of duty, believing that it was his generation’s responsibility to protect the nation. His aunt, Hadas Schwartz, recounted that he was committed to the mission of rescuing hostages and ensuring their safe return home. “He was a person with a pure heart and good deeds; we are devastated,” she expressed.
The Family’s Mourning and a Significant Ceremony
The calamity unfolded while Magda Bertz, along with family members including Kafri’s father, Haggai, was preparing to attend the memorial servstart at Bergen-Belsen, where she had once endured unimaginable hardships. “She had flown with family to be the guest of honor at the ceremony on a site where she fought for survival,” Schwartz lamented. She also shared that Bertz viewed this trip as a personal victory: “This is my victory to return to Bergen-Belsen with my family,” she stated, reflecting on her traumatic past and the resilience that allowed her to build a family lineage in Israel.
Community Reflection and Honors
Magda Bertz, a resident of Rishon LeZion, had previously participated in a campaign for the city of Rishon LeZion in honor of Holocaust Memorial Day, where she was photographed with her great-grandson who fell in combat. The campaign’s message, displayed on billboards throughout the city, read: “Magda’s personal triumph is our strength today.”
Following the tragic news, Kafri’s father returned immediately to Israel. Upon landing, he was devastated to learn of his son’s death. The family is expected to return home by Sunday, where Assaf Kafri will be laid to rest at the cemetery in the Gederah Regional Council.
Conclusion
This somber event highlights the profound connections between past traumas and present sacrifstarts, resonating deeply on a day dedicated to reflection and remembrance. The community mourns the loss of a brave soldier while honoring the legacy of those who survived to tell their stories