Please Support JNS
Jewish news that makes sense
update desk

Leo Dee recites Yizkor prayer during Independence Day ceremony

Rabbi Dee's wife, Lucy, and daughters Maia and Rina were killed earlier this month by Palestinian terrorists.

Rabbi Leo Dee rehearses for Israel's Independence Day ceremony at Mount Herzl in Jerusalem, April 23, 2023. Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90.
Rabbi Leo Dee rehearses for Israel's Independence Day ceremony at Mount Herzl in Jerusalem, April 23, 2023. Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90.

Rabbi Leo Dee, whose wife, Lucy, and daughters Maia and Rina were killed earlier this month in a Palestinian terrorist attack, recited the Yizkor memorial prayer at Israel’s main ceremony on Tuesday night marking the state’s 75th Independence Day.

Lucy Dee, 48, Maia, 20, and Rina, 15, were murdered in an April 7 shooting on the Route 57 highway near the Hamra Junction in the Jordan Valley.

In a video message shortly thereafter, Leo Dee called for the observance of April 10 as “Dees Day” and urged supporters to post photos of themselves with the Israeli flag to social media.

“Today, we differentiate between good and evil, right and wrong,” he said. “The Israeli flag is the sign of good. It’s the side of building something worthy. Do it for your soul. Do it for the souls of Maia, Rina and Lucy Dee.

“Do it for all of humanity and do it now,” he added. “It has never been more urgent.”

The Israel Defense Forces was continuing on Tuesday to search for the terrorists who killed the Dees.

The annual torch-lighting ceremony for Independence Day began just after sundown Tuesday on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem.

Be a part of our community

JNS serves as the central hub for a thriving community of readers who appreciate the invaluable context our coverage offers on Israel and their Jewish world.

Please join our community and help support our unique brand of Jewish journalism that makes sense.

Support JNS
Topics
Never miss a thing
Get the best stories faster with JNS breaking news updates