Excerpted from Haaretz article by Bradley Burston, Jul. 23, 2014.
Excerpt republished on Find A Grave with permission.
30,000 GATHER IN SILENCE TO HONOR 'LONE SOLDIER' FROM L.A., KILLED IN GAZA
"Look around you," says Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat. "30,000 people are here to tell you that you are among friends."
It was the parents' first visit to Israel.
"On behalf of our entire family, we want to answer the question on the minds of many people; Do you have any regrets that Max enlisted in the IDF as a 'lone soldier?' Stuart Steinberg continued without hesitation. "The answer is an unequivocal No." An outpouring of support, love, gratitude, and appreciation, first for Max in life, and then for the family "helped to erase any possible doubt."
"We now know why Max fell in love with Israel," his mother Evie told the mourners, thanking them for honoring their son. "It was all because of its people. He was embraced with open arms and treated like family," she said, "and for that we are eternally grateful."
Only a handful of the some 30,000 mourners had even heard of Max Steinberg prior to his death. But in ceremony that was at times stunning in its quiet intimacy, by the end of the funeral, they had become in some peculiarly Israel way, family.
"There is no doubt in our minds that our son was put on this earth for a mission," Evie Steinberg said. "We lost our first child due to a miscarriage." Max was later born just six weeks after Stuart's mother had succumbed to cancer, she said. "Max's birth resulted in healing our family of the pain stemming from two losses."
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro called Max Steinberg "a hero to everybody here. These past few days, Israel has lost far too many heroes."
On behalf of President Obama, Secretary of State Kerry, and the American people, Shapiro said, "I bring a message of support, consolation, and what comfort we can bring."
"A son of the United States, a soldier of Israel, he represented the best of both of our countries," Shapiro said. "Max selflessly gave his life to protect and defend this country, honoring both Israel and the United States of America with his courageous service."
Eulogies were also given by former Israeli ambassador to Washington Michael Oren, Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat, close friends of Max, and his commanding officer.
"As I look around right now, I am overwhelmed by the impact you had on so many lives," Max's sister Paige said. "It is unbelievable to see how many people are here in your honor."
'Unlike most people, Max," his brother Jake said, "you didn't just admire a hero, you became one yourself.'
Michael Oren, Israel's former ambassador to the United States, delivered a eulogy for Max and was touched by the tens of thousands of people standing around him in silence. "This hill has many thousands of citizens who came to pay their last respects. Many of them never met Max. They came because he promised them that we would be a free people in our land," Oren said.
Dan Shapiro, the American ambassador to Israel, said at the funeral that Israel had lost too many heroes in recent days. He added that he brought a message of support and condolence in the name of President Barack Obama, Secretary of State John Kerry and the American people.
Member of the Knesset, Rabbi Dov Lipman's voice broke when he addressed Max above his grave, saying,
"Thank you for protecting us and showing us that a ordinary American boy from California could become an Israeli hero."
An honor guard from the Golani Brigade fired a salute at the grave, and by the end of the ceremony the grave was piled high with dozens of wreaths.
Excerpted with permission from:
http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/israel-gaza-conflict-2014/1.606861
Excerpt republished on Find A Grave with permission.
30,000 GATHER IN SILENCE TO HONOR 'LONE SOLDIER' FROM L.A., KILLED IN GAZA
"Look around you," says Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat. "30,000 people are here to tell you that you are among friends."
It was the parents' first visit to Israel.
"On behalf of our entire family, we want to answer the question on the minds of many people; Do you have any regrets that Max enlisted in the IDF as a 'lone soldier?' Stuart Steinberg continued without hesitation. "The answer is an unequivocal No." An outpouring of support, love, gratitude, and appreciation, first for Max in life, and then for the family "helped to erase any possible doubt."
"We now know why Max fell in love with Israel," his mother Evie told the mourners, thanking them for honoring their son. "It was all because of its people. He was embraced with open arms and treated like family," she said, "and for that we are eternally grateful."
Only a handful of the some 30,000 mourners had even heard of Max Steinberg prior to his death. But in ceremony that was at times stunning in its quiet intimacy, by the end of the funeral, they had become in some peculiarly Israel way, family.
"There is no doubt in our minds that our son was put on this earth for a mission," Evie Steinberg said. "We lost our first child due to a miscarriage." Max was later born just six weeks after Stuart's mother had succumbed to cancer, she said. "Max's birth resulted in healing our family of the pain stemming from two losses."
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro called Max Steinberg "a hero to everybody here. These past few days, Israel has lost far too many heroes."
On behalf of President Obama, Secretary of State Kerry, and the American people, Shapiro said, "I bring a message of support, consolation, and what comfort we can bring."
"A son of the United States, a soldier of Israel, he represented the best of both of our countries," Shapiro said. "Max selflessly gave his life to protect and defend this country, honoring both Israel and the United States of America with his courageous service."
Eulogies were also given by former Israeli ambassador to Washington Michael Oren, Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat, close friends of Max, and his commanding officer.
"As I look around right now, I am overwhelmed by the impact you had on so many lives," Max's sister Paige said. "It is unbelievable to see how many people are here in your honor."
'Unlike most people, Max," his brother Jake said, "you didn't just admire a hero, you became one yourself.'
Michael Oren, Israel's former ambassador to the United States, delivered a eulogy for Max and was touched by the tens of thousands of people standing around him in silence. "This hill has many thousands of citizens who came to pay their last respects. Many of them never met Max. They came because he promised them that we would be a free people in our land," Oren said.
Dan Shapiro, the American ambassador to Israel, said at the funeral that Israel had lost too many heroes in recent days. He added that he brought a message of support and condolence in the name of President Barack Obama, Secretary of State John Kerry and the American people.
Member of the Knesset, Rabbi Dov Lipman's voice broke when he addressed Max above his grave, saying,
"Thank you for protecting us and showing us that a ordinary American boy from California could become an Israeli hero."
An honor guard from the Golani Brigade fired a salute at the grave, and by the end of the ceremony the grave was piled high with dozens of wreaths.
Excerpted with permission from:
http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/israel-gaza-conflict-2014/1.606861
Excerpted from Haaretz article by Bradley Burston, Jul. 23, 2014.
Excerpt republished on Find A Grave with permission.
30,000 GATHER IN SILENCE TO HONOR 'LONE SOLDIER' FROM L.A., KILLED IN GAZA
"Look around you," says Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat. "30,000 people are here to tell you that you are among friends."
It was the parents' first visit to Israel.
"On behalf of our entire family, we want to answer the question on the minds of many people; Do you have any regrets that Max enlisted in the IDF as a 'lone soldier?' Stuart Steinberg continued without hesitation. "The answer is an unequivocal No." An outpouring of support, love, gratitude, and appreciation, first for Max in life, and then for the family "helped to erase any possible doubt."
"We now know why Max fell in love with Israel," his mother Evie told the mourners, thanking them for honoring their son. "It was all because of its people. He was embraced with open arms and treated like family," she said, "and for that we are eternally grateful."
Only a handful of the some 30,000 mourners had even heard of Max Steinberg prior to his death. But in ceremony that was at times stunning in its quiet intimacy, by the end of the funeral, they had become in some peculiarly Israel way, family.
"There is no doubt in our minds that our son was put on this earth for a mission," Evie Steinberg said. "We lost our first child due to a miscarriage." Max was later born just six weeks after Stuart's mother had succumbed to cancer, she said. "Max's birth resulted in healing our family of the pain stemming from two losses."
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro called Max Steinberg "a hero to everybody here. These past few days, Israel has lost far too many heroes."
On behalf of President Obama, Secretary of State Kerry, and the American people, Shapiro said, "I bring a message of support, consolation, and what comfort we can bring."
"A son of the United States, a soldier of Israel, he represented the best of both of our countries," Shapiro said. "Max selflessly gave his life to protect and defend this country, honoring both Israel and the United States of America with his courageous service."
Eulogies were also given by former Israeli ambassador to Washington Michael Oren, Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat, close friends of Max, and his commanding officer.
"As I look around right now, I am overwhelmed by the impact you had on so many lives," Max's sister Paige said. "It is unbelievable to see how many people are here in your honor."
'Unlike most people, Max," his brother Jake said, "you didn't just admire a hero, you became one yourself.'
Michael Oren, Israel's former ambassador to the United States, delivered a eulogy for Max and was touched by the tens of thousands of people standing around him in silence. "This hill has many thousands of citizens who came to pay their last respects. Many of them never met Max. They came because he promised them that we would be a free people in our land," Oren said.
Dan Shapiro, the American ambassador to Israel, said at the funeral that Israel had lost too many heroes in recent days. He added that he brought a message of support and condolence in the name of President Barack Obama, Secretary of State John Kerry and the American people.
Member of the Knesset, Rabbi Dov Lipman's voice broke when he addressed Max above his grave, saying,
"Thank you for protecting us and showing us that a ordinary American boy from California could become an Israeli hero."
An honor guard from the Golani Brigade fired a salute at the grave, and by the end of the ceremony the grave was piled high with dozens of wreaths.
Excerpted with permission from:
http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/israel-gaza-conflict-2014/1.606861
Excerpt republished on Find A Grave with permission.
30,000 GATHER IN SILENCE TO HONOR 'LONE SOLDIER' FROM L.A., KILLED IN GAZA
"Look around you," says Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat. "30,000 people are here to tell you that you are among friends."
It was the parents' first visit to Israel.
"On behalf of our entire family, we want to answer the question on the minds of many people; Do you have any regrets that Max enlisted in the IDF as a 'lone soldier?' Stuart Steinberg continued without hesitation. "The answer is an unequivocal No." An outpouring of support, love, gratitude, and appreciation, first for Max in life, and then for the family "helped to erase any possible doubt."
"We now know why Max fell in love with Israel," his mother Evie told the mourners, thanking them for honoring their son. "It was all because of its people. He was embraced with open arms and treated like family," she said, "and for that we are eternally grateful."
Only a handful of the some 30,000 mourners had even heard of Max Steinberg prior to his death. But in ceremony that was at times stunning in its quiet intimacy, by the end of the funeral, they had become in some peculiarly Israel way, family.
"There is no doubt in our minds that our son was put on this earth for a mission," Evie Steinberg said. "We lost our first child due to a miscarriage." Max was later born just six weeks after Stuart's mother had succumbed to cancer, she said. "Max's birth resulted in healing our family of the pain stemming from two losses."
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro called Max Steinberg "a hero to everybody here. These past few days, Israel has lost far too many heroes."
On behalf of President Obama, Secretary of State Kerry, and the American people, Shapiro said, "I bring a message of support, consolation, and what comfort we can bring."
"A son of the United States, a soldier of Israel, he represented the best of both of our countries," Shapiro said. "Max selflessly gave his life to protect and defend this country, honoring both Israel and the United States of America with his courageous service."
Eulogies were also given by former Israeli ambassador to Washington Michael Oren, Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat, close friends of Max, and his commanding officer.
"As I look around right now, I am overwhelmed by the impact you had on so many lives," Max's sister Paige said. "It is unbelievable to see how many people are here in your honor."
'Unlike most people, Max," his brother Jake said, "you didn't just admire a hero, you became one yourself.'
Michael Oren, Israel's former ambassador to the United States, delivered a eulogy for Max and was touched by the tens of thousands of people standing around him in silence. "This hill has many thousands of citizens who came to pay their last respects. Many of them never met Max. They came because he promised them that we would be a free people in our land," Oren said.
Dan Shapiro, the American ambassador to Israel, said at the funeral that Israel had lost too many heroes in recent days. He added that he brought a message of support and condolence in the name of President Barack Obama, Secretary of State John Kerry and the American people.
Member of the Knesset, Rabbi Dov Lipman's voice broke when he addressed Max above his grave, saying,
"Thank you for protecting us and showing us that a ordinary American boy from California could become an Israeli hero."
An honor guard from the Golani Brigade fired a salute at the grave, and by the end of the ceremony the grave was piled high with dozens of wreaths.
Excerpted with permission from:
http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/israel-gaza-conflict-2014/1.606861
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