To his family,
I did not know your son at all, my loss. I have read and seen about him from Daniel Gordis' Inside Israel newsletter, which i read daily. I followed the link and have seen all about Zechariah and the accomplishments in his life. I write from very far away, and we shall not ever meet. I live in rural Florida now in my retirement, but I had a long academic career in Jewish Studies in the US and Europe. I wrote a biography of Janusz Korczak from the Warsaw Ghetto as part of my work; i believe a copy exists at Kibbutz Lohamei Haghetaot. I last visited your wonderful country in 1991 as I have a dear friend in Jerusalem who made Aliyah in 1967. I'm 80 now doubt I will visit Isarel again. But in mind I am there.
Please be aware that there are many in the US still 101% supportive of Israel, today and tomorrow. What our politiicans and shockingly, our uninformed youth say and do in their media performances in no way reflects what many of us beleive intrinsically and unchangingly. No, we will not meet, but I looked carefully at all your photos of your sons and your family and friends. I read of his studies in Agronomy and his plans for the life of your country and your culture. His loss I feel, even as a starnger, profoundly and sincerely. He is one of hundreds, hundreds, and hundreds, and for each one you have lost there, we remember and we mourn them here. To me he will remain not a memory but an inspiration to remain faithful and vigilant, a defender of Israel in every way against the unending hositlity we have always faced. His bravery is the only real anidote for now and for ever, and in every way his life seems to me exemplary. Please accept my wishes for your own courage and well being. Mark Bernheim <bernhema@miamioh.edu>