Hundreds of people gathered Monday night to escort Sarah (Sarita) Mendelson on her final journey, after she was brutally killed that morning when Arab terrorists opened fire at the Ramot Junction in Yerushalayim.
Her husband, Shlomi, poured out his grief at the levayah, saying, “The great loss has not settled in. Sarita, my dear wife, you were all energy of kindness and a straight path. All of your actions set an example. You were admired by all, everyone in their own way. Everyone who knew you is weeping. Members of Bnei Akiva, it isn’t sinking in for anyone.”
Her daughter, Aviya Ben-Haroush, also spoke through her tears: “How can a pure thing like you meet such evil? I’m sure you will look after us and send us powers of joy and support from above. The people of Israel have suffered enough; it hurts too much. Pray for the hostages, for our soldiers, and for us.”
Yigal Klein, Secretary-General of Bnei Akiva, shared his own moving tribute: “Sarita, the word ‘light’ keeps recurring in the tributes written about you today: the light of leadership, the light of your always-present warmth, the light that illuminated everyone who came, your ever-positive demeanor, and the countless references to the special light you had, which we all felt and were blessed by – from you.
“Sarita, before we say our final goodbye, one more request from you – with all your light, you knew in your role how to demand, to demand payment, to demand debts from the authorities, to demand what Bnei Akiva always needed. We have one request, Sarita: please, rise up before the throne of glory, and with your unique strength, demand the debts owed by the Master of the Universe, who already owes us redemption.
“Demand goodness for your family and for all our people. Demand the safe return of our soldiers in health and peace, crowned with victory until the victory of light and good. Demand the swift return of our hostages. Demand the return of our people to the beloved expanses of our land. Demand deep unity within us… Demand that in this year’s beginning, ‘our judgment will shine like the morning.’ Demand that it will be said for us, ‘Bless us, our Father, all as one in the light of your face. Sarita, you’ve already met many more demands that you have called for, so on our behalf, to Heaven, please demand these too.”
Among the mourners present was Minister Orit Strock, who came as the government’s representative.
Mendelson had devoted years of her life to Bnei Akiva, serving as Director of Public Relations in the youth movement’s treasury. On Monday morning, she was on her way to her office at the movement’s national headquarters in the Nayot neighborhood of Yerushalayim when she was murdered in cold blood.
Bnei Akiva released a statement after the tragedy, declaring, “Baruch Dayan Ha’emes. Bnei Akiva is mourning and grieving the murder of our dear friend and movement leader, Sarah Mendelson, may her memory be blessed, who was murdered this morning by wicked individuals in the attack in the Ramat neighborhood.” The statement continued, “The movement and the entire Bnei Akiva family send condolences and embrace the dear family during this difficult time.”
{Matzav.com Israel}
