Omer. Another name I will never forget. Another face I cannot forget.
An American, Omer Neutra was born in New York City and raised in Long Island, New York. The grandson of Holocaust survivors, Omer was 21 years old and serving voluntarily in the Israel Defense Forces. On Oct. 7, 2023, Omer was serving as a tank commander in an IDF unit that was among the first to respond to the Hamas attacks.
At Omer’s funeral, 1,500 people came to honor his memory.
Josh Leeman, a friend of Omer’s and a recent UMD alumni, attended the memorial service.
“It was overwhelmingly beautiful to see how many people came to show their support and pay their respects,” Leeman said. “There was traffic starting from the highway exit, and over 1,000 people attended the memorial. The shul was forced to fill two additional rooms where people listened to the service via livestream.”
As the news continues to recount Omer’s death and the campaign to retrieve his body from Hamas, I would like to take a moment to give life to his memory.
For we know that it is not about the number of years he lived, but rather the life he lived in those years.
In high school, Omer was an involved athlete. He captained the basketball, volleyball and soccer teams.
Sara Blau, a recent UMD alumni and friend of Omer, spoke about Omer’s incredible leadership.
“Omer was a leader in every community he joined; it came naturally to him,” Blau said. “We all have so much to learn from Omer – I hope to honor his memory by making others feel welcomed, important and special.”
Leeman spoke of Omer similarly.
“[Omer] truly touched everyone he met. He was the epicenter of every community he was a part of.”
In 2019, Omer graduated from the Schechter School of Long Island in Williston Park, New York. After high school, many of his friends took a gap year to travel, study or go on other programs. Omer, a generous boy with a desire to lead and give back, decided to enlist in the IDF. He worked his way up in the ranks to commander. Omer’s dream, as recounted by his family and friends, was to come back to America and go to Binghamton University.
Leeman shared that Omer’s decision to serve was no shock.
“Those who knew [Omer] were not surprised one bit when he deferred going to Binghamton to take a gap year and later enlist in the army,” Leeman said. “It was who he was. It was what he always believed in most. That’s what brings me solace—knowing he died doing what he was most passionate about: protecting the country he loved.”
Daniel, Omer’s younger brother, lamented the fact that soon he will be older than his big brother. Daniel expressed his grief in having to live a full life without his older brother. He spoke of Omer’s values and accomplishments.
Daniel explained, “Sometimes you raise your kid too well.” This, from the stories and memories described, was Omer.
Leeman remembered Omer’s character.
“Everyone loved him. Everyone wanted to spend time with him. Everyone wanted to be his friend. He was funny, smart, genuine and kind. A goofball. Intelligent. So many people have shared such beautiful words about him—words you’d only hope to hear a fraction of about yourself someday. It’s just remarkable how none of it is exaggerated.
“To quote our good friend: ‘He embodied all the values Jewish parents hope their kids will have when they send them to Jewish summer camp, youth group and school—in one person.’ The Jewish and Zionist community lost a good one and it’s our duty to continue living by the values he held most dear.”
A person so essential to every community he entered must be remembered.
“Life goes on,” Leeman explained, “and his memory will always serve as a reminder to fight for what you believe in, with a warm heart.”
Daniel stressed the need for others to remember his brother.
“Now everyone knows Omer’s story, his sacrifice, his endless heart, and now his memory will live forever.”
In a heartbreaking eulogy, Orna, Omer’s mother, spoke of her son like only a mother could. Orna left everyone who listened with the image of a broken but resilient heart.
She concluded saying, “I pray that beyond the grief, we will find some comfort in continuing to spread your light… We will miss you forever and love you forever.”
We must never forget the generous leadership, kind heart and loving memory of Omer Neutra, z”l.
Omer, another hero I will never forget.
