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As Israel marks Memorial Day, English-speaking Jews from across the globe gathered at four major commemorative events in Latrun and Jerusalem to honor the country’s fallen soldiers and victims of terror, many of whom were immigrants who made Israel their home.
The ceremonies — held at Yad L’Shiryon in Latrun, Ammunition Hill, the Jerusalem Theater and the at the Museum of Tolerance Jerusalem — aim to make Memorial Day accessible to English-speaking audiences in Israel and the Diaspora. Each event drew hundreds to thousands of attendees in person and thousands more online via livestreams. A siren was sounded at 8 p.m., ushering in Memorial Day. An additional siren will sound at 11 a.m. Wednesday.
Latrun: Global tributes through Masa Israel Journey
At Yad L’Shiryon in Latrun, Masa Israel Journey hosted the world’s largest English-language Memorial Day ceremony, now in its 17th year. The event, themed “Together We Remember,” comes amid deep national mourning following the October 7 massacre, ongoing war and rising global antisemitism.
Over 4,500 people attended in person, with remarks from Masa CEO Meir Holtz and Jewish Agency Chairman Maj. Gen. (res.) Doron Almog. Bereaved families, Masa fellows, Jewish leaders and government officials, including Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fuchs, were also in attendance.
Stories of individuals who fell defending Israel were highlighted, including South African-born Captain Daniel Perez, French-born Sergeant Major (res.) Ronny Ganizate and Argentinian-born Sergeant Ilan Cohen, all killed since October 7. The ceremony also honored American-born hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Brazilian-born Bruna Valeanu and Ukrainian-born police officer Andrey Poshivay, all of whom were murdered in the October 7 attack.
Captain Daniel Perez: Born in 2001 in Johannesburg, South Africa, Perez immigrated to Israel with his family at age 13 and lived in Yad Binyamin. He was the son of Rabbi Doron Perez, head of the World Mizrachi Movement, and brother to Yonatan, Adina and Shira.
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Father of slain soldier held by Hamas in an interview
Daniel enlisted in November 2020 and served as a platoon commander in the Armored Corps’ 77th Battalion. On Oct. 7, 2023, he commanded a tank at the Nahal Oz outpost during Hamas' surprise attack, where he was killed and his body kidnapped into Gaza. Initially thought to be wounded and captured, he was later declared dead by the Chief Rabbinate. His remains were buried at Mount Herzl on March 18, 2024, though his body remains in Gaza.
Daniel is remembered for his heroism, love of Israel and devotion to others. His family honors his memory through lectures and initiatives, including "Café Daniel," a memorial coffee cart.
Sergeant Major (res.) Ronny Ganizate: Born in Marseille, France, Ganizate immigrated to Israel at 18 after deciding independently to join his brothers who had moved earlier. He participated in a Masa program with Bnei Akiva, volunteering on a kibbutz and with Magen David Adom before enlisting in the Nahal Brigade.
As a lone soldier, he faced many hardships, lacking the family support most Israeli recruits have. Despite not being obligated, he volunteered for reserve duty and never missed a call-up.
After completing his regular service, he married Shoshana and had three children. He worked with his brother Jeremy at a family accounting firm, balancing work and active reserve duty.
Known for his infectious optimism, even in Lebanon’s harsh conditions, Ganizate would encourage others, telling them: "Smile—it’s easier to complete the mission with a smile." On his final mission, his platoon was ambushed near a school housing terrorists. He was killed instantly by an RPG blast.
Family members recalled his unwavering love for Israel and his selfless spirit. His brother Jeremy said, "You gave everything for Israel. I would trade places with you a thousand times."
His widow, Shoshana, added, "Thank you for being my husband, the father of our children, and for always putting us first."
Sergeant Ilan Cohen: Born in Argentina to Hanna Batya and David Cohen, Ilan grew up in a religious home, deeply connected to Jewish tradition. He attended the Yosef Caro Jewish School, where he nurtured a love for reading, geography and community service. From a young age, he taught prayer, led activities for children and volunteered at a local charity.
Moved by a profound love for Israel, Ilan first visited the country through a Masa program. Though his family urged him to complete high school in Argentina, he returned to Israel in 2022 to study at a Chabad yeshiva in Migdal HaEmek and later at Yeshivat Har Bracha.
He enlisted in the IDF’s Paratroopers Brigade in April 2023, joining the 202nd Battalion, where he served as a grenadier. On Oct. 7, 2023, during Hamas’ surprise attack, his unit was sent to defend Kibbutz Be’eri and later fought inside Gaza, where they completed training under combat conditions.
Cohen’s commitment to rescuing hostages became a personal mission. In March 2024, he helped recover four bodies from a Hamas tunnel. He was laid to rest at Mount Herzl, accompanied by thousands who answered a public call to honor him. His short life embodied a deep love for Israel and the Jewish people.
Hanani Glazer: Born in Porto Alegre, Brazil, Glazer moved to Israel at age 16, driven by a deep love for the country and his family. The son of Tatiana and David Ronen, he was one of seven siblings. In Israel, he enlisted as a lone soldier, first serving with the IDF’s Education Corps and later transferring to the Golani Brigade, where he earned praise as a caring, determined and joyful soldier.
An artist at heart, Glazer loved music, painting, songwriting and dancing, dreaming of becoming a DJ. Friends described him as a pure soul whose warmth and light touched everyone he met.
On Oct. 7, 2023, Glazer attended the Nova festival near Kibbutz Re’im with friends. As rockets fell, they fled toward what they believed was a safe shelter. Along with dozens of others, they took cover in a roadside bomb shelter. Hamas terrorists attacked, throwing grenades and opening fire, killing most inside, including Glazer. Two of his friends survived.
His body was found two days later. Glazer was buried at Tel Regev Cemetery near Kfar Hasidim, just two days shy of his 24th birthday. He is survived by his parents, six siblings and four nieces and nephews.
His father eulogized him: “You taught everyone what willpower means. We lost a son, but the people of Israel gained a pure soul.” His brother Reuven added: “You had a heart too big for this world. Now you are dancing before God’s stage, surrounded by light and love.”
Bruna Valeanu: Born on Sept. 26 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. As a teenager, Valeanu dreamed of making aliyah, a dream she fulfilled at age 15 when she moved to Israel with her mother and sister, settling in Petah Tikva.
Arriving without knowing Hebrew, Bruna quickly mastered the language, graduated from high school, and built a close circle of friends. She later served as a shooting instructor in the IDF’s Armored Corps. After her service, she traveled through South America, visiting relatives in Brazil, before returning to Israel to study communications, sociology, and anthropology at Tel Aviv University.
While studying, she worked hard to support herself and her family, determined to build a life in Tel Aviv.
On Oct. 7, 2023, Bruna attended the Nova festival near Kibbutz Re'im. Around 9 a.m., she contacted her family, describing the sound of gunfire and explosions nearby. Soon after, she was brutally murdered during Hamas’ attack on the festival.
Her funeral was held on Oct. 10, 2023, at the Yarkon Cemetery in Petah Tikva. Fearing a small turnout, her family was overwhelmed when nearly 10,000 people came to honor her memory. Bruna is survived by her mother and two sisters.
Inspector Andrey Poshivay: Poshivay, 39, served as a patrol officer with the Towns District in Israel’s Southern Region. Born on Jan. 17, 1984, in Crimea, Ukraine, he moved to Israel alone at age 20. After beginning university studies, he chose instead to enlist as a lone soldier in the IDF, serving in the Artillery Corps as an ordnance officer.
Following his military service, Poshivay joined the police, initially in Be’er Sheva and later as a patrol officer in the Negev Towns Station. He completed advanced police training through the Hebrew University's Institute of Criminology and attended the Command and Staff Program at the University of Haifa. He was killed before he could receive his master’s degree; his sister, Tanya, accepted the diploma on his behalf in December 2024.
On Oct. 7, 2023, during Hamas' attack on southern Israel, Poshivay displayed extraordinary bravery. Amid heavy fire, he helped rescue partygoers from the Nova festival near Kibbutz Re’im. He engaged in a gunfight with terrorists and continued fighting after other officers were killed, before falling himself.
Following his death, Poshivay was posthumously promoted to the rank of inspector. His parents, Nikolai and Maria, were brought from Crimea in a special operation organized by the Israel Police and the Defense Ministry to attend his funeral.
Special tributes will be paid to Masa alumni who fell in battle or were victims of terror, including Omer Neutra, whose body remains held in Gaza, and Captain Yogev Pazy, a former emissary to Jewish summer camps in the United States.
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“Yom HaZikaron, our Day of Remembrance, is an essential part of Israel and the Jewish people: Holtz said. "Each year, we hold the ceremony in English and other languages, primarily to make this day accessible to Masa fellows in Israel — in a language they understand and with content they can relate to. This year, this goal feels more important than ever. The Jewish people are at a pivotal moment, our unity and solidarity are critical. That’s why this year’s ceremony theme is — 'Together We Remember'. This ceremony is for us to focus on the heroes, cherish the world they left behind and try to be worthy of their sacrifice. May their memory be a blessing”.
Wreaths were laid by bereaved families, Knesset representatives and leaders from major Jewish organizations, and a prayer will be offered for the safe return of hostages still held in Gaza.
Ammunition Hill: Remembering the lone soldiers
At Ammunition Hill, more than 1,200 people took part in a Memorial Day Eve ceremony hosted by the Michael Levin Base for Lone Soldiers, in partnership with the Ammunition Hill National Heritage Site and supported by organizations such as Jewish National Fund-USA and March of the Living. The program, held entirely in English, featured former Israeli ambassador to the U.S. Michael Oren and testimonies from bereaved parents, including Iris Haim, whose son Yotam was killed in Gaza by friendly fire. The IDF Rabbinical Choir performed musical selections to honor the memory of the fallen.
Alon Wald, head of operations at the Ammunition Hill Heritage Center, said the event plays a crucial role in uniting Israeli and Diaspora Jewry. "The important ceremony we've held for over eight years turns an exclusively Israeli moment into something English-speaking Jews worldwide can be part of," Wald said. "Memorial Day unites us all in remembrance."
The ceremony recognized the sacrifices of lone soldiers who left their families and homes abroad to serve in Israel’s defense forces. "We proudly and painfully honor the lone soldiers, who sacrificed everything for our nation," Wald added.
Jerusalem Theater: A salute to fallen immigrant soldiers
Also on Tuesday, a special tribute at the Jerusalem Theater honored 43 lone soldiers — immigrant and Israeli — who have fallen since October 7. The bilingual ceremony, titled “Here Because of Them — Together: Remembering the Fallen Lone Soldiers,” was organized by a coalition of lone soldier support organizations, including Nefesh B’Nefesh-FIDF’s Lone Soldier Program, Big Brother for Lone Soldiers, Tzofim Garin Tzabar, Knafayim, Ruach Nechona, the Harel Foundation and the Michael Levin Lone Soldier Center, in partnership with the Jerusalem Municipality.
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Here Because of Them — Together: Remembering the Fallen Lone Soldiers
(Photo: Nefesh B'Nefesh)
10 View gallery
Here Because of Them — Together: Remembering the Fallen Lone Soldiers
(Photo: Nefesh B'Nefesh)
IDF Chief Education Officer Brig. Gen. Samuel Bomendil attend, alongside bereaved families of Sergeant Rose Lubin, who immigrated from the United States; Sgt. Nathanel Young, who made aliyah from the United Kingdom; Staff Sergeant Amir Fisher, originally from Ghana; and Master Sergeant (res.) Ronny Ganizate, who came from France.
A special prayer was recited for the safe return of captured lone soldier Edan Alexander and the return of the body of fallen lone soldier Omer Neutra, whose remains are still held in Gaza.
“These events reflect the shared commitment and sacrifice of global Jewry,” said organizers, “and remind us that the defense of Israel is a story written by many nations, in one language of unity and courage.”
Museum of Tolerance Jerusalem, IDFWO host English-language Memorial Day ceremony
Hundreds of English-speaking Israelis and visitors gathered Tuesday at the Museum of Tolerance Jerusalem for an annual Memorial Day ceremony held in partnership with the IDF Widows and Orphans Organization.
Former Mossad chief Yossi Cohen warned of the continuing Iranian threat, calling it "not just a strategic challenge — it is a moral one," and urged unity and resilience.
The ceremony honored fallen soldiers and terror victims, including 317 new widows and 735 orphans since October 7.
Participants included Ambassador Danny Danon, Museum Chairman Larry A. Mizel, Rabbi Marvin Hier, and 30 foreign diplomats. An empty chair symbolized soldiers whose bodies remain in captivity.
Tributes were paid by bereaved family members, including Pessie Gordon, widow of Staff Sgt. Naftali Yonah Gordon, and 12-year-old Ittai Hershberg, who recited Kaddish for his father, Lt. Col. Yochai Gur Hershberg.
"This evening, we shine a light on the courage of our fallen heroes," Mizel said. "The Jewish people are one family—no matter where we live."