Matisyahu Samborski, the adopted son of Rabbi Moshe Reuven Azman, one of the chief rabbis of Ukraine, was tragically killed during combat in the ongoing war against Russia, just months after the birth of his daughter, Jerusalem Post reported.
The heartbreaking news came on Wednesday, after an extensive week-long search following reports of his disappearance. The rabbi updated the death of his adopted son on social media.
Matisyahu, born Anton Samborsky, was adopted by Azman and his wife in 2002, at the age of 10, Rabbi Azman wrote on social media. Rabbi Azman also wrote that he had given his son the Hebrew name Matisyahu, in honor of the leader of the Maccabis.
After reaching adulthood, Matisyahu chose to live independently. In May of this year, he married and welcomed his first child, a daughter. However, just a week after her birth, he was drafted into the Ukrainian army, Jerusalem Post reported.
After completing a rapid training course, he was sent directly to the front lines. According to the report, Azman recalled that their last contact was on July 17. He was reported missing on July 24.
Today, official confirmation was received from the Ukrainian military that Matisyahu had been killed in combat.
The funeral is scheduled for Thursday at the Central Synagogue in Kyiv.
Tomorrow in the Central Synagogue there will be a farewell to my son Matityagi (Anton), who died at the front defending Ukraine pic.twitter.com/b93bNAxPxj
— Chief Rabbi Of Ukraine Moshe Azman (@RabbiUkraine) September 11, 2024
BDE so sorry
So sad!!
BDE