In a poignant evening of heroism, sacrifice, and resilience, the Young Israel of Hillcrest, in collaboration with Israel Bonds, hosted its annual Rabbi Simcha zt”l and Esther Krauss Lecture Series on Wednesday, April 30. The event transcended mere commemoration; it was a profound journey into the heart and soul of the Jewish people.
Under the passionate guidance of event chair Josef Flaschner and co-presidents Sol Gelernter and Allan Kinches, attendees experienced deep reflection and unity, heightened by stirring melodies from Yehoshua Blisko and Michael Poulad. The evening was thoughtfully curated by devoted organizers Abe Feld and Mike Gross.
Yet it was the captivating address by IDF paratrooper and activist Sam Fried that truly electrified the audience.
Fried, a 27-year-old native of Jamaica Estates, vividly recounted his lifelong dream of joining the IDF – one sparked at the age of nine. He contrasted memories of local comfort and warmth – like afternoons with hot dogs and milkshakes in Queens – with the harsh reality of battle. After earning a finance degree from Baruch College, he left behind the familiarity of New York to fulfill a higher calling, being drafted into the IDF in March 2020 at the onset of the Covid pandemic. Serving across Israel – including the volatile Gaza border – his unit, the 890th Battalion, was later recognized as the most outstanding company during Operation Guardian of the Walls in 2021.
The turning point came after October 7, 2023.
News broke that Masha Erez – his former base – was overrun by Hamas. Without hesitation, Fried returned to Israel.
“I had no obligation to return, but I knew in my heart that there was no other choice. My brothers needed me,” noted Fried.
He plunged into the heart of war. Fried described a harrowing firefight: RPGs thundered around his squad; bullets shredded bark just inches from where he took cover. Amid the chaos, Fried’s lieutenant, Yotam, scrambled to the front line, calling for grenades from the team. As RPG fire and bullets rained down, Yotam held a live grenade – pin pulled – for nearly half a minute. “If this is the last thing I do,” he told Fried later, “I want to make sure it counts.” The danger was staggering; had he been shot or released his grip prematurely, everyone nearby might have perished. Finally, spotting a target, he hurled the grenade. It landed with devastating precision. “I respected him,” Fried recalled, “but I also told him he was crazy.” The odds were impossible. Yet, through grit, Divine providence, and unity, his team prevailed. Every soldier survived.
“These aren’t just battlefield accounts,” Fried explained. “They are daily miracles – made possible through your t’filos, your love.”
He recalled how his comrade Asaf, shaken and non-religious, opened a T’hilim that Fried handed him – and the first words he saw were his own name. “From that moment, he carried that T’hilim everywhere,” Fried said.
“Hashem spoke to him.”
In another intense scene, Fried described spotting a figure standing exposed on a rooftop before entering a multi-story building under fire. “There’s no way a terrorist would be that open,” he thought. Haunted by recent friendly-fire incidents, he hesitated. But his comrade Asaf urged him: “Shoot. If it’s dud, it’s on me.” Fried fired, then confirmed the kill with a follow-up shot. Moments later, drone footage confirmed the figure was one of two terrorists armed with RPGs, AK-47s, and a sniper rifle – prepared to strike his unit. With that threat neutralized, Fried began clearing the building, relying purely on instinct.
His stories revealed unshakable brotherhood: like Ro’i, his comrade, weeping upon seeing Fried return: “You kept your promise.” Then there was the unforgettable courage of Shavit Ben Moshe, who chose to fight even after losing his brother, a hero in Sayeret Matkal.
Other dangers emerged in terrifying disguise: an RPG hidden in a couch, a stockpile of grenades beneath a toilet. “Every step, every breath – we knew we were being watched over,” he said.
Back in New York, Fried encountered a different kind of battlefield: where a kippah drew accusations of “baby killer,” and vandalism followed him for speaking the truth. “This fight isn’t just in Gaza. It’s here, too,” he warned.
Rabbi Etan Schnall, Rabbi of the Young Israel of Hillcrest, offered Torah insights that grounded Fried’s journey in timeless truths.
“Each of us carries the legacy of generations who fought with heart and spirit. We must continue their fight – together, united, and strong,” said Rabbi Schnall.
Reflecting on the evening, I felt deeply inspired, reminded once again why we must always stand proudly and unafraid. Sam’s courage serves as a beacon for us all.
Fried concluded with urgency: “Find your fight,” he urged. “Whether it’s saying another perek of T’hilim, supporting Israel Bonds, helping soldiers, or wearing a Bring Them Home tag – do something. We all have a role.”
The full event can be viewed at tinyurl.com/YIH-SamFried.
By Shabsie Saphirstein
