Selected Sermon/Article
2007-04-23 Yom Hazikaron by SUSIE WEISS
A DIFFERENT SORT OF "FUN DAY."
Rabbi Stewart and Susie Weiss lost their son Ari in a raid on Hamas headquarters in Nablus in 2002. This article was in today's Jerusalem Post.

A DIFFERENT SORT OF "FUN DAY." SUSIE WEISS

It was the first day of the Pesach vacation, a day dreaded by Jewish mothers throughout the land. This is the day every mother knows that the majority of her Pesach preparations had better be darn near complete, since the children are now home from school throughout the duration to "help." We have our goals to accomplish each day, interspersed with some fun rewards here and there to those who are successful. The countdown to Pesach has begun.

As we go through our morning routine, my 13-year old daughter, Ayelet, is particularly excited today as she anticipates quality time with Mom - at the Luna Park in Tel Aviv. Bubbie, visiting from the States for the Pesach holiday, cannot for the life of her understand how I have nothing better to do today than go to an amusement park with my daughter. "Doesn't she have girlfriends she can go with?" I'm lectured.

Fortunately, Ayelet has no girlfriends that can share this Fun Day with her at the Luna Park. Today is strictly for siblings of fallen soldiers, sponsored by the Israel Defense Forces, at no charge to the participants. The army wants to make sure that bereaved siblings growing up in the shadow of their fallen brothers and sisters are not neglected or pushed aside by eternally grieving parents. They are entitled to have some fun, too, in spite of the tragedy that has touched their lives.

So when our son Yedidya backed out of the day because of excessive homework, I couldn't let Ayelet go alone. So, off to the Luna Park we went.

As we entered the park, we heard peals of laughter and screams of excitement coming from inside. We found our names on a neatly prepared list, as a bright-eyed young cadet matter-of-factly asked us, "which unit?" My mind immediately jumped to Ari's beret ceremony, and I recalled photographing him from every angle as he wore that bright green beret with such pride. "Nachal," I answered. We were directed to the appropriate sign-in table - ours was between the Golani unit and the Air Force - where we waited patiently for our turn. We were handed an envelope with what seemed like enough free food coupons to feed the entire IDF for a day, and we were told to enjoy ourselves but to be back at 3 pm for our gifts.

So off we marched. As I was dragged from one stomach-churning ride to another, the scene before us was surreal. The place was packed with kids and families, as well as soldiers who work with bereaved families. The IDF marching band was winding its way around the park throughout the day, while costumed dancers and entertainers spoiled the kids with prizes, balloons, and candy. Children and adults from all segments of society - including several Druse families as well - had their hands full of cotton candy, stuffed animals, and food, running madly from ride to ride, packing in as much as possible in this one magical day.

My head was spinning with this scene of a typical day at the amusement park, yet I knew that each and every one of us was here for the same grim reason: Each of us will soon weep at our son or brother's grave on Yom Hazikaron. Ari was our ticket for the day, and I hated it. Who were we all fooling? Even Ayelet saw through the facade as she commented, "Do they think this is going to make it better?" But our kzinat nifgaim (bereavement representative) from the army on site, explained what we already knew. Nothing will make it better. Ever. But, "l'fachot zeh" - this is the least we can do.

Armed with new and expensive back-packs as gifts, we were ushered to the bandstand to "enjoy" the strains of Subliminal, an apparently well-known Israeli rapper that performed songs about peace, an end to violence, and other things that I don't know how anyone understands the words to. (To my shock, Ayelet knew most of the lyrics!) I looked around at the crowd: Religious and secular, dark-skinned and light, rich and poor, veteran Israelis and those of us new to this land - all gathered so that they could pretend, for just one day, that we have not a care in the world. Today belongs to the children, who we are still blessed to be with. And the Israeli army is here today to remind us of that. And I wonder, "Is there another army in the world that does something like this?"

Taking the bus home, exhausted, loaded with souvenirs and still nauseous from all the "fun" rides, Ayelet thanks me for a wonderful day. I feel bad as the tears well up in my eyes as I tell her to rest on the bus ride home. She knows all too well that Fun Day is over - it's time to return to Life.

Dear friends: At a time when we unfortunately have so little to be proud of in our government officials and the image they project, be proud of the Fun Days at the Luna Park, and the attention lavished upon families of fallen heroes. And know that, as much as possible, we are being taken care of. L'fachot zeh - at least this.