Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion on Sunday accompanied a 6-year-old boy whose father was killed fighting Hamas in Gaza on his first day of school.
The generally joyful start of the school year in Israel was marred by the news that six Israeli hostages had been murdered by Hamas in Gaza, followed by a morning shooting attack near Hebron that left three Israeli police officers dead leaving a nation in mourning.
Achiya Zenilman, who began first grade in the city’s Neve Etzion School, lost his American-born father Master Sgt. (res.) Ari Yechiel Zenilman, 32, in the southern Gaza Strip in December.
“Dear Achiya, I know that the last year has been very difficult for you, due to the loss of your dear father, Ari of blessed memory,” read a congratulatory letter the mayor presented to the boy as he began first grade. “May this year be full of learning, new friends and much joy. Remember that all of Jerusalem stands beside you and your family.”
The elder Zenilman, who worked as a computer programmer and was married with three kids, had immigrated to Israel from New York with his parents.
“I was pleased to see a strong, pleasant and intelligent child who, despite the great tragedy that befell him and his family, is determined to succeed,” said Lion.
Two million Israeli pupils returned to school on Sunday, from kindergarten to 12th grade, according to an Education Ministry spokesperson. However, an additional 500,000 students from 10th to 12th grade did not begin high school as scheduled due to a strike, a near-annual Israeli tradition at the start of the school year.
