Aleph Honors Jewish Service Members on Memorial Day

On this Memorial Day, the Aleph Institute pays tribute to Jewish service members who have made the ultimate sacrifice and stands in solidarity with the families who carry their memories forward.

Among these families is that of U.S. Army Specialist Daniel Agami, who was killed in action in Iraq in June 2007. His sister, Shaina Agami, was just a child at the time. “The loss was extremely heartbreaking,” she recalls. “I looked up to Daniel tremendously.”

In the face of unimaginable grief, Shaina transformed her pain into purpose. With support from the Aleph Institute—a nonprofit providing spiritual, emotional, and practical assistance to service members and their families—she launched the Kombatica Project for her Bat Mitzvah. Named after the camouflage yarmulke her brother Daniel proudly wore with his uniform, the Kombatica became a symbol of Jewish pride in the armed forces. Through this initiative, Shaina distributed thousands of these yarmulkes, raising funds for Aleph’s military program and inspiring Jewish service members worldwide.

Shaina shares her brother’s story and the inspiration behind the Kombatica Project in a heartfelt video. Watch her full story here.

“For Shaina, her family, and so many others, Memorial Day is a solemn reminder of the sacrifices made by their loved ones,” said Rabbi Aaron Lipskar, CEO of the Aleph Institute. “We are honored to support these families and ensure that the legacies of our fallen heroes are never forgotten.”

Stories like Shaina’s underscore the importance of preserving the memories of Jewish service members who have made the ultimate sacrifice. To honor these individuals, Aleph created the Wall of Heroes, an online memorial dedicated to Jewish service members who lost their lives in uniform. This digital tribute ensures that names are remembered, stories are preserved, and families have a place to share their loved ones’ legacies.

Aleph invites the public—military and civilian—to visit the Wall of Heroes this Memorial Day, learn the stories of the fallen, and honor their memories by sharing tributes.

For more information on Aleph’s military programs, please visit https://alephmilitary.org.