On this Memorial Day, the Aleph Institute paid tribute to Jewish service members who have made the ultimate sacrifice and stood in solidarity with the families who carry their memories forward.
Among those families was 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, Agami 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 Daniel wore with his uniform, the Kombatica became a symbol of Jewish pride in the armed forces. Through her initiative, Agami distributed thousands of yarmulkes, raising funds for Aleph’s military program and inspiring Jewish service members worldwide.
Agami shares her brother’s story and the inspiration behind the Kombatica Project in a heartfelt video.
“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 Agami’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.
For more information on Aleph’s military programs, visit: https://alephmilitary.org.
