By Menachem Posner – Chabad.org
The Jewish community of South Padre Island, Texas, is mourning the loss of native-born Sean Carmeli, one of thirteen soldiers from the Golani brigade who died in battle overnight in the Shejaiyah section of Gaza City.
Sean, known in Hebrew as Nissim, was born to Israeli parents—Alon and Dalya Carmeli—who had moved to the island in pursuit of business opportunities. With time, along with his parents and two sisters, he reconnected with his Jewish roots and began living a Torah lifestyle.
“Sean was a gentle kind boy,” says Rabbi Asher Hecht, director of Chabad of the Rio Grande Valley, who met the boy in summer of 2006 when he and a friend ran a day camp for local Jewish children. “He was the oldest of the local boys in our camp and was a sweet and kind example to everyone else.”
The Carmelis were leaders in the religious awakening that took place in the community during the first decade of the millennium. Within a few years, community members constructed a synagogue, hired a rabbi, and almost all of the members of the tight-knit community observe Torah and mitzvot.
Alon Carmeli purchased the community’s first Torah scroll and dedicated the synagogue in memory of his father-in-law, Nissim Buganim, after whom his son was named.
After spending his summers in the Chabad day- and overnight camps, Sean’s parents saw that their children were growing up without many Jewish friends and made the decision to move back to Israel, said Hecht. Sean completed high school there and went on to join the army where he served with honor and distinction in the Golani Brigade.
“Just before it was time for him to enter the army, Sean made a decision to spend some time in a yeshivah,” recalled Hecht.
“On a visit to Israel, my wife and I met up with Sean in the Old City in Jerusalem where he was studying, and he told us just how excited and happy he was to be able to dedicate this important time in his life to Torah study, hoping that it would open his horizons and give him the right perspective before starting his army service and influence his life as a proud Jew.”
Hecht relates that when Sean was called up, his superior told him that he did not need to go to the front because of a wound on his foot. Sean, however, insisted on accompanying his comrades into Gaza.
“Sean Carmeli is a hero of the Jewish people,” said Hecht. “Like Rabbi Akiva and so many others before him, he gave his life to protect the survival of the Jewish people.”
In addition to his parents, he is survived by his sisters, Or and Gal.
moshiach NOW
He was my friend I knew Sean when Sean was a little boy in South padre island. Every Friday night he sit next to his father he knew shir hashirim by heart by 10years old. 2006 ashi Hecht and Eli laber and several of us started a sleep away camp on the beach at South padre island. I was the camp cook but whatever Sean wanted and some of the kids I knew I’d make them special food. His parents sisters are amazing people. Last time I saw sean was in 2010 he was so funny great kid I’m going… Read more »
We need to do more and strengthen our yiddishkeit it’s the only old tool that we have… And really a huge thank you to all the soliders, May we join you all with mashiach now!!
He wasnt supposed to go because he had a foot injury, but still decided to! What a hero!
He went from one yenneh ekvelt and passed away al kiddush hashem in another…
Ad Mosai???
Thank you so much to you soldiers who protect the Yidden in Eretz Yisroel. You have the greatest merit that one can possibly achieve today. You are the greatest that Klal Yisroel has. Frum or not or even anti Frum you are our greatest pride and source of goodness.
Aibishter!?
It hurts too much!!
broken hearts that can only heal with Moshiach’s arrival, may it be right NOW!!!
what does the aibishter want?????? He already has an overflow of the cream of the crop, how much more must we suffer????
Moshiach right now