A Letter from Eli Shiran : Award Winning Winemaker of Shiran Winery

October 12, 2023

By Eli Shiran

Award Winning Winemaker, Shiran Winery

 

The State of Israel, the heart of the Jewish people, was attacked during our festival of Simchat Torah, an attack unparalleled in its cruelty. The extent of the barbaric cruelty is inconceivable. While there are many tragic and horrific stories, I would like to share a personal story that has impacted me and my family directly. 

My nephew, Captain Ori Mordechai Shani, may G-d avenge his soul, served as an officer in the Gaza Strip. His mission was to defend Israel and neutralize terrorists. On Shabbat, in combat, after many terrorists were killed, their ammunition and water supply ran out. Despite being surrounded by terrorists, with resourceful skill, Ori managed to maneuver his unit through a nearby plantation, undercover so as to mislead the terrorists. Later in darkness, he brought them back to the post and commanded his soldiers to rearm and prepare to fight. Even before all the soldiers had time to rearm, there was an obvious risk of terrorists infiltrating their position and Ori took one armed soldier with him to scout their post. A bomb landed, killing Ori and his soldier.

With the fighting continuing, it took two days to locate his body, to rescue it from the post, and identify him. Only on Tuesday, Captain Ori Shani, may G-d avenge his soul, was buried.

Ori is survived by his young wife and four-month-old baby, parents, brothers, and sisters. He was 22.5 years old.

As with many Israelis, our children too are in the army. Our son Meir, and our sons-in-law, Motti and Dvir were called up. We together with the entire people of Israel pray for their success in defending our country and for their safe return home to their families!

Our son Shlomo serves as Lieutenant Colonel and Commander of the Netzach Yehudah Unit. What is unique in his unit is that all its soldiers are from Charedi families who generally oppose military service. As a result, some of those soldiers have strained relationships with their families and are no longer in contact with them.

The unit trains its soldiers to be fighters of the highest rank and they reinforce enemy lines with skill, thwarting terrorist infiltration into mainland Israel, in the Golan Heights, and in Judea and Samaria.

The Netzach Yehudah unit's mission is multifaceted;

Firstly, they train soldiers to whom the concept of army service is foreign and generally opposed to the values upon which they grew up. The unit turns them into the finest fighters, some continue to be officers.

Secondly, Netzach Yehudah gives them a warm environment to allow them to keep a Charedi way of life while serving in the army, in terms of kashrut and Torah learning, without compromising their army service.

Thirdly, Netzach Yehudah gives them a warm environment to come home to, especially for those whose parents have cut contact with them when other soldiers return to their natural home environment.

Fourthly, Netzach Yehudah gives them a professional opportunity in financial terms, assisting them in integrating  Israeli society, while preserving their Charedi identity.

And, of course, there are other objectives…

Netzach Yehudah has its own fund, the Friends of Netzach Yehudah Fund which accompanies all the procedures before and for the duration of their service and after finishing their service.

The fund was established by a number of rabbis from the Charedi community who understood the value and importance of enrolling Charedi men who are not learning Torah day and night in yeshivot and the yeshiva world does not suit them.

The fund is run at present by Charedim who have graduated from the unit and embraced this sacred mission.

Since our son Shlomo is in command of the unit, we see the sterling, sacred work of the fund and call out to our friends to support their efforts, especially in the present distressing situation when needs are greater. Please contribute generously to the Netzach Yehudah fund! Contributions are recognized for tax purposes as in the link.

I would be grateful if you could designate your contribution under the title, the Ori Shani Fund.

In hope for better times, when I can write about wine and joy!

In appreciation,

Eli Shiran - Shiran Winery