Omer Neutra’s parents, Ronen and Orna, and brother, Daniel, delivered eulogies at the memorial service. Courtesy of NY Hostages Families Forum

By Benyamin Cohen December 3, 2024

New York Governor Kathy Hochul ordered flags on state buildings be flown at half-mast on Tuesday, in memory of Long Island native Omer Neutra.

The American-Israeli 21-year-old, the grandson of Holocaust survivors, was believed to be alive and held hostage by Hamas in Gaza. But on Monday, the Israeli military said it discovered proof that Neutra was killed during the initial attack that began the war — on Oct. 7, 2023 — and his body was dragged into Gaza, where it remains.

“The grief is heavy,” the Neutra family said in a statement Monday, calling the ordeal “an unimaginable nightmare.”

Neutra deferred his acceptance to Binghamton University to spend a gap year in Israel before he joined the Israel Defense Forces, where he became a tank commander. The funeral service for Neutra took place Tuesday morning at the Midway Jewish Center on Long Island, and can be streamed below:

“We wanted a different end to this story,” said Rabbi Joel Levenson as he opened the service at the Midway Jewish Center, in walking distance to where Neutra grew up and where he had his bar mitzvah.

“I pled for a sign of life, I didn’t get any,” his mother, Orna Neutra said. “Now things are clear, but not as we hoped.”

“My strong, 6-foot-2-inch, big, smily son,” she said. “I felt so small in your powerful hugs.”

She spoke of the past year, of the words of encouragement she received from strangers. “We were not alone. You were here with us on this unbearable journey.” She concluded: “Omer, you are leaving many broken hearts. We will miss you forever.”

His father, Ronen Neutra, recalled that “for 14 months we traveled back to Israel; Washington, D.C.; Doha, Qatar; Milwaukee; Chicago, and so many places, telling our story.” He called on Israel to make a deal to get back the hostages, those who are still alive as well as the bodies of those that are dead like Omer. “Rest in peace my beautiful son. We were blessed to be chosen to be your parents.”

Daniel Neutra, Omer’s brother, said he cherished the “bro talks” they shared late at night. “We would talk about everything: our dreams, our friends, our goals, our struggles.” He called Omer “his best friend” and wore his brother’s jacket as he delivered a eulogy. “I have to grow old without him by my side,” Daniel said, adding, “That his work is done does not diminish the magnitude of his impact.”

Neutra was remembered by family friends as as a “high achiever,” “empathic,” “handsome and humble.” He was a lifelong New York Knicks fan and the captain of his basketball team. He was a lifeguard at Camp Ramah, USY president and made delicious homemade hummus.

Alyssa Mandelowitz, a classmate of Omer’s since the first grade, said that Omer “inspired us without trying to be inspiring,” and was “compassionate, caring and kind.” Amidst tears, she said, “You now exist in each and everyone us, and to honor your memory we live everyday with courage, strength and compassion.”

Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg-Polin, the parents of slain Israeli-American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, sat on the pew by the parents of Omer Neutra. Hochul, Jonathan Greenblatt, the CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, and Adi Alexander, father of hostage Edan Alexander, were among those also in attendance at the service.

Grieving parents, and a threat from an incoming president

Neutra’s parents are well-known to the American public, having spoken about their son and the hostages at the Republican National Convention in July. During his acceptance speech at the RNC, former President Donald Trump issued an ultimatum to Hamas about the hostages: “They better be back before I assume office, or you will be paying a very big price.”

After hearing of Neutra’s death, President-elect Trump issued an ultimatum on Monday to Hamas to release the hostages before he takes office or face severe consequences. The statement, posted on his social media platform, Truth Social, came after the families of American hostages held by Hamas in Gaza urged Trump to help finalize a hostage-ceasefire deal before inauguration.

“If the hostages are not released prior to January 20, 2025, the date that I proudly assume Office as President of the United States,” Trump wrote, “there will be ALL HELL TO PAY in the Middle East, and for those in charge who perpetrated these atrocities against Humanity.”

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, Democrat of New York, said her “heart breaks” for the family “as they face this unbearable loss. But I am also filled with pride in the life that Omer lived. His heroism and sacrifice will never be forgotten, and I will not rest until his body is returned home.”

To accommodate the expected crowds, the Neutra family will not sit shiva at home, but at the Midway Jewish Center on Long Island.

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