לב החסד

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Erez Idan, a fighter in the Duchifat regiment,
was killed on October 19, 2003 by a chain of terrorists in the village of Ein Yavrud in Ramalla.
He was a son, a friend and a fighter
who loved life, the army and his country unconditionally.
He was Ami and Bagira’s eldest son and he had two younger brothers.
“Where there’s a will, there’s a way; it’s an honor to die for one’s country...”
he wrote in his personal journal among his other entries and the tasks he set up for himself in the army.
On October 19, 2003, just three weeks shy of his 20th birthday,
Erez was killed in a clash with terrorists in the village of Ein Yavrud in Ramalla, along with two of his co-fighters – Roi Ya’akov Solomon and Elad Pollack, of blessed memory.
Erez was admired by his soldiers and commanders as well as by his friends at the sea surfing club.
He liked challenges – he was challenged by high waves and undaunted by the exhausting military training he underwent.
He kept in shape, coped well and led by personal example – all with his trademark smile.
“Even bread can be hard, yet we eat it nonetheless...”
the soldier wrote in his journal.
He was a commander and a fighter who believed.
On the occasion of an event commemorating Erez Idan at the Meir Nitzan Cultural Center, his mother Bagira read a monologue she wrote to her son and conveyed a message to his fighting comrades:
“Erez, more than anything, your life was a reflection of a different brand of leadership that stemmed from ‘love your neighbor as yourself’’ – a leadership that was not conditional upon age, experience or official ranks, but rather on the desire to make a positive impact.
Yours was not a leadership of preaching or chastising; rather, your leadership acknowledged others as equals, and nurtured mutual responsibility and respect – such was the foundation for your leadership.
“To give without expecting in return” and to feel that you have received more than you gave.
Erez, in a letter that you wrote to your soldiers, you pointed out that everything would come to them easily and naturally if only they knew the answer to the question of “why” searching for answers brings out the uniqueness of man - “think before you leap” is what distinguishes the willing, knowing, feeling man from the robot who performs the task.
In order to remember that it’s possible even when it’s difficult and inconvenient, when life drags us down to a tough, threatening, and sometimes inhuman reality, that is where your ability shone through”...
Erez, you didn’t learn it, you didn’t tell your soldiers that it’s possible, you simply lived it. And that is the legacy of a true leader – to lead toward truth and awareness through personal example”.
“We know what we experience. That is the triumph of a given way of life - of true, loving and heroic leadership. Strength and power borne of humanity.”
“In your 18th birthday card I wrote you: “a son like you is the heart’s desire of any mother and father and anybody would want a brother like you. Both Dad and I and Omri and Tomer have the honor of having you as our own”.
“This is your gift to us, Erez – your soldiers, your friends and their families. This is the gift we were blessed with, along with your unforgettable smile, the penetrating look emanating from your beautiful blue eyes and your love for life”.
Erez’ mother added that there was good reason for the event commemorating her son to be held on the eve of a new year, since it is fraught with the meaningful symbolism of continuity and renewal - a testament of sorts to the motto that guided her son Erez during his brief life.
She concluded the monologue with her son by saying: “Erez, for as long as your soldiers, friends, past and present commanders carry on in your wake, you shall live on”.
The emotional climate escalated when the regiment fighters, who recently captured the chain of terrorists that killed Erez Idan, went up on stage.
Two of Erez’ friends, his parents and his two brothers embraced the fighters at length and his father Ami praised the fighters’ spirit and called for a perpetuation of his son’s legacy.

The Mitrani Company,
which operates in collaboration with Erez’ father,
donated a vehicle to “Lev HaChesed”.
The vehicle helps to transport food to needy families who – due to various limitations – cannot reach the food distribution center.
The vehicle helps to take food to the doorsteps of those who need food and cannot reach the distribution center on their own.
May he rest in peace.

Avi Miterani, chairman of Miterani company

The Mitrani Company, which operates in collaboration with Erez’ father, donated a vehicle to “Lev HaChesed”

Father and Mother of Erez Idan near the viacle contributed to his memory

Lev Hachesed Charity Fund Inc. - Help and Assistance to Needy Families and Children in Distress
Israel - 3 Leib Pinsker Street, P.O. Box 15467, Rishon Le-Tzion. Phone : 972-3-9643151
U.S.A branch - Address - 90 Croft Terrace New Rochelle N.Y. 10804