Torah Scroll Dedicated in Samaria to Fallen Border Police Officer Ran Gavili
A Torah scroll was dedicated on Tuesday in the settlement of Tzufim in Samaria, in memory of Border Police officer Sergeant Major Ran (Rani) Gavili, who was killed in the line of duty, and Simcha Beerel Balasky. The scroll was donated by Abraham and Sarah Balasky from the United States. The ceremony was attended by Gavili's parents, Tali and Itzik, Head of the Samaria Regional Council Yossi Dagan, members of the Balasky family, and residents of Tzufim.
Tali Gavili, Ran's mother, expressed her emotion at the event, stating, "It's so nice to be here, what pride and what excitement. We came from the south to see your amazing settlement." She added, "I really feel like I am marrying off my son now."
Ran's father, Itzik Gavili, shared his gratitude, saying, "We are excited to be here. This Torah scroll moves us so much. We met you in Miami, thank you very much. This is not something to be taken for granted."
Yossi Dagan thanked the families, noting that Ran Gavili and Simcha Beerel Balasky would be memorialized through the Torah scroll in the community. He praised Gavili as a "hero of Israel, who is an example and a model." Dagan pledged, "I promise one thing: that we will build up Samaria even more, we will build up the Land of Israel even more, we will establish more settlements and hold our heads high."
Sarah Balasky, one of the donors, called it a "great honor" for her family to share the dedication with the Gavili family, mentioning her son alongside Ran, "who jumped to the south and saved lives." Dov Shlomovitz, chairman of the Tzufim settlement's secretariat, stated it was a "great privilege" for the community to host the Torah scroll in Ran Gavili's memory and thanked the donors.
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