Mizrachi SA Jewish Observer - Rosh Hashanah 2015 | Page 46

YAD PROGRAMME YAD PROGRAMME NETZER HA’ACHARON A LESSON FROM THE LONELIEST OF THE LONE SOLDIERS THE PRIVILEGE TO SLIP UNNOTICED THROUGH THE PASSAGES OF TIME RAV GREG BANK Rachel carried her own cumbersome load. As a survivor of the Lodz Ghetto, she spent the war performing back–breaking labour. Upon being released from a DP camp in Cyprus, she made her way to Palestine and joined the effort in Kfar Etzion. Mirroring, her newly found love, Rachel had no family either - her parents died of hunger in the ghetto and her younger brother was deported despite her efforts in hiding him for five years. Inspired by their love and motivated at the chance for a more optimistic future, the young couple planned to settle in Kfar Etzion once the situation settled down. They enjoyed the freshness of the mountains and the tranquillity of the countryside that the region offered. As members of the Mizrachi, Kfar Etzion provided an opportunity to pioneer the land on a backdrop of religious values. YOSEF ARRIVED in Kfar Etzion in February 1947, carrying so much and yet he had so little. Any lone soldier will tell you of their rough landing into the IDF and how ^HY