Chaim Dan Blumkin, director of the youth village dormitories, told the pupils as they began the marathon: “You are making history as participants in the youth village’s first marathon. With God’s help, you will return here in a few yeas as alumni, and you will tell the pupils who come after you that you took place in the first marathon. You are part of the history not just for this reason, but also because you are running during a period that will be remembered in the history of your people. Everything we have gone through since October 7th is a chapter, one of the most important in the history of the Jewish People. Today we run in memory of those who fell in battle, in their memory and in their honor.”
At the youth village, the sorrow did not pass over us and two of our counselors lost their brothers in the difficult battles in Gaza. They told their pupils about their beloved brothers, their amazing personalities and great heroism.
This marathon is in their memory and in memory of all those who fell during this terrible war.
First Sergeant Tzvika Lavi, of blessed memory
Son of Miriam and Moshe, soldier in the Fire Formation (551), 699th battalion. He fell in battle in the northern Gaza strip on the 29th of Kislev 5784 (December 11, 2023). He was 30 years old when he fell.
Tzvika left behind a wife, three children, brothers and sisters.
First Sergeant Ari Yehiel Zanilman, of blessed memory
Son of Miriam and Avraham Reuven, combat soldier in the 8111th battalion of Division 5, fell in battle in the Gaza Strip on the 27th of Kislev 5784 (December 10, 2023). He was 32 years old when he fell.
Ari left behind a wife, three children, parents and siblings.
May his memory be a blessing.
