Shlomit Dedicates First Synagogue in Memory of Fallen Defenders

The community of Shlomit, located in Israel’s northwestern Negev, dedicated the Be’er Shalom Synagogue in honor of four members of its volunteer security team—Reuven Shishportish, Aviad Cohen, Uriel Bibi, and Bechor Sued—who were killed defending nearby Pri‑Gan during the Hamas invasion of southern Israel on October 7, 2023.

The synagogue, a luminous modern structure seating 650 worshippers, was built over 2.5 years and completed just in time for its dedication. Visible from across the desert, including from Gaza and Egypt, the building stands as both a memorial and a promise: that Shlomit will continue to grow despite tragedy.

Ceremony Highlights

• Torah dedication: A new Sefer Torah donated by the Weiss family of Florida was completed in the old temporary synagogue, then carried in procession to the new building.
• Community participation: About 1,500 attendees joined in prayer, song, and dance, including government ministers, rabbis, and members of Israel’s Knesset.
• Statements of resilience: MK Ze’ev Elkin called the synagogue “the spirit of our people,” while opposition leader Benny Gantz praised the community’s courage.

Symbolism and Support

• Funding: The project was supported by JNF‑USA, Keren Hayesod Australia, JNF Canada, the Jewish Agency, Israel’s Tekumah Directorate, and thousands of donors worldwide.
• Local contribution: Shlomit residents themselves raised the final four million shekels through grassroots efforts.
• Widows’ voices: Tzofia Shishportish described the synagogue as her husband’s dream fulfilled, while Dana Cohen called it “a bridge between past and future, between pain and hope.”

Quick Facts

The dedication of Be’er Shalom Synagogue represents healing through construction, transforming grief into legacy and ensuring that Shlomit’s defenders are remembered in a sacred space that embodies both memory and hope.

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