It has been a heavy 48 hours for klal yisroel, as Jews around the world attempted to process the horrific tragedy of those crushed to death during the Lag Ba’Omer celebrations in Meron.
Names of those who have passed continue to make the rounds on social media, as family after family finds themselves forever changed by grief.
Some of the victims from abroad were buried on Friday without family in the country to see them off. One of these victims was Canadian singer Shragee Gestetner, of Montreal. Gestetner was a 35-year-old father of 5, who had no immediate family present in Israel for his burial. This information began to circulate on Facebook and Whatsapp on Friday morning, urging whoever could to attend.
Tears were in the eyes of all those present, as hundreds arrived to accompany Shragee Gestetner to his resting place.
Though many have attempted to place blame or focus on those responsible for the tragedy, there has been a sense of tremendous unity among the Jews of Israel during this dark time. Thousands of Israelis donated blood on Friday, and clinics were packed in the mostly secular city of Tel Aviv. Even Prime Minister Netanyahu was photographed contributing.
As the news fades away, however, the public will move on. Those who will be unable to move on are the parents, spouses, and children of those who died so tragically on Thursday. A fund has been opened by charity organization Vaad HaRabbanim, to help those families. Funds raised go toward replacing the income of fallen fathers.
CLICK HERE TO HELP THE FAMILIES OF THE MERON TRAGEDY VICTIMS
