Terror Victim Eli Kay Laid to Rest in Jerusalem

Eli Kay HY”D, the beloved young man who was slain in a terror attack near the Kotel on Sunday, was laid to rest during an emotional funeral in Jerusalem, attended by friends, family, government ministers, and senior rabbinic leaders.

Thousands of mourners flocked to the funeral to pay their respects to Kay, who made aliyah by himself and enlisted to the IDF to a combat unit in the Paratroopers brigade, who worked the land on a kibbutz in southern Israel and more recently worked as a tour guide at the Western Wall.

Kay is the son of Avi and Devorah Kay, members of the Chabad community in Johannesburg. He attended the Chabad Yeshiva in Kiryat Gat, Israel.

Those present sang together with fierce intensity songs of consolation and encouragement for Kay family, and perhaps for themselves as well, before falling into silence as Kay’s body, shrouded in a tallis, was brought in the eulogy hall, the Jerusalem Post reported.

Speaking at the service, Kay’s brother Katriel insisted that those in attendance not be aggrieved for him but rather find a way to turn the calamity of his death into an event that strengthens the Jewish people and the Jewish state.

“We should not be sad for Eli. When we put him in he will be at peace… He was a bit of a nomad, went all over the place, now his time has come to rest,” said Katriel.

“We are all here sad, crying, but I know that we need to ask ourselves what will change in our lives now. What can we do so that the memory of our brother will be eternalized… so that for the rest of their lives they will perpetuate what Eli stood for.

“Every person has their own mission and Eli would want that everyone give the best of their ability in whatever way works for them to protect the Jewish people and advance our country.”

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