In His Memory - Raziel Shevach / Sivan Rahav Meir:
Rabbi Raziel Shevach, father of six, was murdered last night in a terrorist shooting attack, and from every story we hear about him, we learn how great is the loss. Here are a few examples that show us the vast empty hole that was formed last night in our world, by lowly murderers.
Meir Layush, who volunteered with Raziel in the Kav LaChayim organization (a non-profit organization for sick children) said:
"Raziel Shevach. What a name (in Hebrew: Raziel = secret of G-d, Shevach = praise). Praise the Secret of G-d. You had two curly Payos and a smile that stretched from Metula to Eilat, and this is not said as a cliche'. You had a heart that accepted and loved religious and secular people, the young children in the NPO and their madrichim (counselors). You were great at imitating people, you were funny, a person full of joy, a Tzaddik, but not someone who reproaches others. You were a person of Chessed (loving kindness), in all parts of your being".
The Medic, Ehud Amiton, writes about Raziel, with whom he volunteered in MADA (Israel's national emergency medical service):
"Once I saw how Raziel lifted up an injured person out of a trench all by himself, only because he arrived earlier than the rest of us to the scene and was already in the mud, so he wanted to prevent us from getting dirty, and (he said) 'Of course! I manage this on my own and do not need any help'. He did not let us get closer to the injured person in the mud, until he came hurriedly up with the him, all the while it was pouring rain. Every thing you did, Raziel, was for the sanctity of life, and it was those who sanctify death that killed you."
Doron Melzer of Lod says:
"The Summer of 5765 (2005), Kav LaChayim, a camp for sick children in the days when Gush Katif was being destroyed. Raziel, who was a resident of the Gush, is one of the most beloved, if not THE most beloved, of the madrichim (counselors). We thought a lot about it back then, and decided that the camp should take place despite the troubles of the Gush. The camp is made of about 1000 people who do a lot of fun and Chessed for sick children. Raziel was a star: He laughed, ran, played music, jumped, had fun, was always smiling at everybody, made everybody laugh and had a contagious smile. But all of this was done during the day, only until the kids went to sleep. But at night, Raziel used to sit with a Book of Psalms, would read and cry, cry and read, while feeling the pain and sorrow of his brethren in Gush Katif. And the next day - again he was happy with the camp kids, laughing, running, jumping, smiling, until night".
