Synagogue in Ofra Honors Two Terror Victims
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
A new synagogue, "Mazmor L'Assaf," has been inaugurated in the Ofra settlement, honoring terror victims Assaf Haim Hershkowitz and Dvir Yehuda Shurak. Assaf's father was also a terror victim, and Dvir's grandfather was murdered in a prior attack. Dvir's father noted the poignant connection of his son's life events to the synagogue's location. Local leadership praised the community's resilience in building the synagogue despite past tragedies.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- New synagogue "Mazmor L'Assaf" opens in Ofra, honoring terror victims Assaf Haim Hershkowitz and Dvir Yehuda Shurak.
- Assaf Haim Hershkowitz's father was also murdered in a terror attack three months before him.
- Dvir Yehuda Shurak's circumcision and funeral procession were linked to the previous synagogue building.
- Dvir's grandfather, Rabbi Binyamin Hurwitz, was also murdered in a terror attack in 2000.
- Local leaders highlighted the synagogue as a symbol of resilience and continued life after terror.
- The synagogue's construction followed years of planning and significant perceived risk.
A new synagogue, "Mazmor L'Assaf," was inaugurated in the settlement of Ofra, dedicated to the memory of Assaf Haim Hershkowitz, who was killed in a May 2001 shooting attack. The synagogue also features a prayer hall named after Dvir Yehuda Shurak, who was murdered in a stabbing attack in August 2019 at the age of 19. The inauguration ceremony was attended by the families of both victims, along with local leadership.
Assaf Haim Hershkowitz was killed on Route 60 while on his way to work. Tragically, his father, Aryeh Hershkowitz, was also murdered in a terror attack just three months prior. The settlement of Givat Assaf was established in the aftermath of Assaf's death, and now, 25 years later, the new synagogue further commemorates him.
Dvir Yehuda Shurak, a resident of Ofra, was killed near his yeshiva in Gush Etzion. He was the grandson of Rabbi Binyamin Hurwitz, who was also murdered in a terror attack in 2000. Dvir's father, Yoav Shurak, spoke at the ceremony about the poignant "full circle" of his son's life, noting that Dvir's circumcision ceremony took place in the settlement's previous synagogue building, and his funeral procession departed from the same location shortly before his 19th birthday.
"Dvir was a youth connected to Torah and prayer, and he frequented the synagogue. He was also very connected to settling the land, especially to the love of the earth and agriculture. But above all, Dvir possessed a deep and rare attentiveness to people, and the desire to do good guided him throughout his life," Yoav Shurak said. He added that the new synagogue is a "house for Torah and prayer" that will carry Dvir's memory forward.
Yisrael Gantz, Head of the Benjamin Regional Council and Chairman of the Yesha Council, expressed the community's emotion at inaugurating a "house of Torah and prayer" after experiencing such profound loss. He emphasized that in the very place where enemies sought to cut short lives, the community continues to build and foster new life. Gantz acknowledged the years of planning and the significant risks involved in the project, praising the settlement's residents for their dedication and the collective effort that made the synagogue a reality. He concluded by expressing hope that the new synagogue would bring strength and renewal to the entire community and to Israel.