FIDF Chief Executive Officer Steve Weil welcomes Rabbi Stewart Weiss, Director and Founder of the Jewish Outreach Center in Ra’anana, and father of IDF Sgt. Ari Weiss HY”D, to discuss Rabbi Weiss’ journey making Aliyah, and being the father of a fallen solider. Rabbi Weiss recounts his son Ari’s challenges trying to get into an elite anti-terrorist unit in the IDF, initially struggling but ultimately becoming an explosives expert and a sharpshooter. Ari, Rabbi Weiss explains, was in demand and was flown about into the field on many missions. Ari fell in battle in Nablus at the age of 21 on September 30, 2002. Rabbi Weiss took on the responsibility of comforting other parents of fallen soldiers, being open and honest about his battle dealing with the pain and challenges of the loss of a child entering the prime of his or her life.  Rabbi Weiss explains that one of the things that has strengthened him most is speaking with other families and experiencing their strength in the face of loss. While Rabbi Weiss misses his son dearly, he is proud of the sacrifice that his son, and all sons and daughters serving in the IDF, made for the safety of Israel’s citizenry.

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