Old City terror attack victim Eli Kay laid to rest in Jerusalem

At an emotionally fraught service at Jerusalem’s Har Menuchot cemetery, friends, family, government ministers, and senior rabbinic leaders all lauded the accomplishments and character of Eli Kay, the dynamic and charismatic young man who was slain in a terror attack in the capital on Sunday. 

Thousands of mourners flocked to the funeral to pay their respects to Kay, who made aliyah by himself and enlisted to the IDF to a combat unit in the Paratroopers brigade, who worked the land on a kibbutz in southern Israel and more recently worked as a tour guide at the Western Wall.

Those present sang together with fierce intensity songs of consolation and encouragement for Kay family, and perhaps for themselves as well, before falling into silence as Kay’s body, shrouded in a tallit, was brought in the eulogy hall. 

Speaking at the service, Kay’s brother Katriel insisted that those in attendance not be aggrieved for him but rather find a way to turn the calamity of his death into an event that strengthens the Jewish people and the Jewish state. 

“We should not be sad for Eli. When we put him in he will be at peace… He was a bit of a nomad, went all over the place, now his time has come to rest,” said Katriel.

“We are all here sad, crying, but I know that we need to ask ourselves what will change in our lives now. What can we do so that the memory of our brother will be eternalized… so that for the rest of their lives they will perpetuate what Eli stood for. 

“Every person has their own mission and Eli would want that everyone give the best of their ability in whatever way works for them to protect the Jewish people and advance our country.”

Diaspora Affairs Minister Nachman Shai spoke on behalf of the government and praised Kay for his great devotion and dedication to the country and the Jewish people. 

“We are parting today from a paratrooper, from a fighter, from a yeshiva student, from an Israeli citizen who fulfilled his desires in the Land of Israel, in which he fell. May God avenge his blood,” said Shai. 

“Eli’s story is the story of Israel at its best. To love the land, to come to it, to give everything for it. 

“Look Eli, how many people have come to part from you, many who never knew you, many heard about you just yesterday and decided they want to be with you today to part from you,” continued the minister. 

He added that the country promised to bring Kay’s murderers to justice and to uproot terrorism. 

“This terrorism does not deter and will not deter anyone, just as it did not prevent you and your family from coming to Israel, it will not deter anyone from living here and building their family and future here. 

“Israel promises you and all of us that we will continue to build a special, prosperous, successful and safe country here.”