Rabbi Reuven Azman, leader of the Brodsky Synagogue in Kyiv and a key figure among Ukraine's rabbis, shared the news on Friday of his adopted son's death in the conflict with Russia.
"Since the beginning of this terrible war, trouble has knocked on the door of almost every Ukrainian - some have lost a loved one, others are fighting with injuries. On this day, I want to share with you my personal pain," he wrote in a post on X on Thursday, marked as the Day of Remembrance of the Fallen Defenders of Ukraine
In 2002, Azman and his wife adopted a 10-and-a-half-year-old orphan named Anton Samborsky, whom they named Matisyahu, after the Hasmonean priest who led a historic revolt.
"Moty lived in our family for about 10 years, and when he became an adult, he decided to live on his own. He got married, and in May of this year he had a daughter. But a week after the baby was born, Moty was drafted into the army. After a quick course as a young soldier, he was immediately sent to the front line. The last time we talked to Moty was on July 17. On July 24, he went missing during a battle. His wife received an official document," according to Azman.
Reflecting on the loss, Rabbi Azman stated, ""On this Day of Remembrance of the Fallen Defenders of Ukraine, I pray for all the heroes who gave their lives for the freedom of their country. Their courage and sacrifice will never be forgotten. Eternal glory to the heroes who defended their homeland!."