Honouring Israel’s fallen
“THE one true comforting thought we can have is that Danny died defending the country that he loved, and the country that he knew from childhood would be his home.”
“THE one true comforting thought we can have is that Danny died defending the country that he loved, and the country that he knew from childhood would be his home.”
Those were the words of Lieutenant Daniel [Danny] Goldberg’s childhood friend, Raymond Bernstein, who will honour his fallen friend on April 30 at the Zionist Council of NSW’s Yom Hazikaron commemoration, which is also the 35th anniversary of Goldberg’s death.
Goldberg was born in Israel in 1955, although he moved to Sydney with his parents and sister Miriam soon after he was born.
He spoke six languages, attended Newington College and started Habonim at Strathfield Synagogue aged eight. Continuing in the movement after returning from Shnat in 1974, his Sydney Habonim friends remember him as a “very smart and fun-loving, gentle soul”.
After completing his medical degree and hospital residency, he rejoined his family, who had already returned to Israel. Goldberg attained the rank of lieutenant and served as a medical officer in a tank brigade based in the Golan Heights. It was was one of the first units to be deployed to Lebanon in June 1982 to fight in the Lebanon War, also known as Operation Peace for Galilee.
“As commander of his unit, Danny took an active and highly visible role in the battle with Syrian forces, in which he was tragically killed,” Bernstein said.
“At his funeral, his fellow soldiers spoke highly of Danny’s bravery, leadership and his friendships within the unit.”
This is the first time since his death that he will be honoured in Sydney. The Goldberg family still lives in Israel; his 96-year-old father resides in Haifa with Daniel’s sister Miriam Gavish and two of her children.
“Our hearts are touched by the thought that his friends and his community still uphold his memory and the ultimate sacrifice he made for his people and country,” Gavish told The AJN. “We will never give up hope that peace will be upon us one day and that there will be no further need for the sacrifices of our men and women and their families.”
Held at Moriah College, the Yom Hazikaron commemoration honours Israeli soldiers who were killed in the line of duty and victims of terror. Israeli advocates who have served in the IDF will share their personal stories at the event, and The Sabres Band, comprised of two former musicians from the senior IDF ceremonial, will perform.
The Yom Hazikaron event is at Moriah College on Sunday, April 30 at 6pm. For more information, call (02) 9360 6300
YAEL BRENDER
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