Sgt. Shmuel Weiss

Apr 8, 2002 - Sgt. Shmuel Weiss, 19, of Kiryat Arba was killed by Palestinian gunfire in the Jenin refugee camp (Operation Defensive Shield).

Shmuel was born in Elon Moreh and moved with his family to Kiryat Arba almost 20 years ago. His family is amongst the long-time residents of Kiryat Arba.

Shmuel studied in Kiryat Arba, in Mercaz Harav and Machon Meir in Jerusalem and, later, in yeshiva Ayelet Hashachar in Eilat. When he was drafted, he chose to serve a full three years in the Golani Brigade and not, as many of his fellow students, in Yeshivat Hesder (a program combining religious study and army service). Shmuel served as a medic. He was the fourth child of nine. "He loved everyone but his greatest trait was his modesty," said family members. Shmuel's funeral was on Holocau

Shmuel's parents immigrated from Chicago. His father, Rabbi Weiss is a well-known lecturer and one of the heads of Midreshet Harova in the Jewish Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem.

Sgt. Shmuel Weiss was buried in the Mt. Herzl military cemetery in Jerusalem. He is survived by his parents, Arye and Tzipora, brothers Shlomo, Moshe, Petahiah, Yitzhak, Nehemia and sisters Ayala, Tamar and Iska.