From the Liveblog of
Friday, October 13, 2023
Neighbors gather on street for Jerusalem family burying son
Jessica Steinberg, The Times of Israel's culture and lifestyles editor, covers the Sabra scene from south to north and back to the center
Hundreds of neighbors in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Arnona are gathering with Israeli flags to accompany the family of Anar Elyakim Shapira, as they boarded buses to bury their son, grandson and brother.
Shapira was killed during the Hamas massacre at the Supernova desert rave, as he saved the lives of friends around him, reportedly throwing out grenades that were tossed into the field shelter where he and others were standing.
Shapira and his friend, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, went to the desert rave together on October 6 at night, camping out before Hamas invaded the event attended by thousands of young people. Goldberg-Polin, whose arm was blown off, is being held hostage in Gaza.
As the buses carrying family members to bury Shapira at Mount Herzl move down the street, neighbors and friends follow slowly, singing Hatikvah softly.
The Times of Israel Community.