For Dvora and Kalman Sofer, the joy of the holidays has been replaced by a profound, pervasive silence. This last Rosh Hashanah, they lost their beloved Etay. “We stopped celebrating since then,” says Dvora. “On Fridays, we no longer sit together—the empty chair is a constant reminder of Etay.”
Their grandson, First Sergeant (Res.) Etay Azulay z”l, was a hero in every sense of the word. But he wasn’t always a model student. At sixteen, with the prospect of his service ahead, a fire was lit within him. With a new drive, Etay dedicated himself to his studies and grueling physical training, determined to serve in one of the IDF’s most elite units.
His hard work paid off. Etay was accepted into Sayeret Matkal and later served in the elite Duvdevan unit. He was known for his mischievous, infectious smile and his boundless energy. His days were full of action and a quiet determination to help, whether it was fixing a computer for his family or serving his country. His life motto was, “Always do your best in everything you do.” Even after his active duty, his commitment never wavered, serving nearly 200 days in the reserves while excelling as an electrical engineering student.
On the eve of Rosh Hashanah last year, Etay arrived at his family’s holiday dinner, still in uniform. It was a brief, precious moment with his loved ones before he was sent to the northern border the very next day.
On October 6th, 2024, while serving in Lebanon, a mortar struck his unit. Etay was killed instantly.
His sacrifice left a void that can never be filled. It is felt everywhere, every day, explains Dvora. It hits unexpectedly—while listening to a song, walking on the beach, or just seeing his smiling picture; a constant ache. His grandparents keep his military identification tags (pictured above) and wear a bracelet engraved with his fingerprint, symbolic connections to the grandson they miss so dearly.
For families like the Sofers, grappling with unimaginable loss, FIDF provides a supportive community. Our retreats for bereaved families offer a vital respite. Surrounded by others who understand their pain, they find comfort and learn how to cope. “It’s a good feeling to know that someone is thinking of you,” Kalman shared. “In light of the antisemitism in the world, it is very encouraging to know that we receive support from Jews in the Diaspora.”
Thank you for supporting FIDF, as we continue to provide essential support for IDF soldiers and families, including the families of our fallen heroes, giving them the strength to navigate their darkest days.
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