June 18, 2002
We arrived at Har Hamenuchot (Mountain of Rest) cemetery, our hearts heavy with grief. "Our beloved Shiri," our thoughts screamed!
Nestled in the majestic hills of Jerusalem, we saw neat rows of rectangular headstones stretching endlessly below. They looked like a miniature city made of stone. In the distance stood a group of apartment buildings, made of the same beige Jerusalem stone as the headstones. For a moment it looked as if the headstones were a mirrored reflection of those tall buildings. An eerie city of the dead below, reflecting the city of the living above.
Jerusalem was on high alert, leaving us to wonder, whose time was up now?
The past few days, we kept hearing warnings of a suicide bomber that had entered the city. Jerusalem was on high alert, leaving each of us to deal with our feelings of dread and apprehension. "Whose time was up now?" we wondered. "Keep safe" we told each other as we went about our daily lives.
In the morning, when I learned that the bus of death had started out from Gilo, the first thought that came to mind was Shiri. I calmed myself, reasoning that it was highly unlikely that the one person I knew from Gilo would be on that bus. What were the odds?
As news came in of the terrible carnage, I grew restless and called my daughter Sarah, Shiri's friend. There was no answer. Around noon, the second I heard Sarah's choked voice on the phone, I cried out "No! Not Shiri! Please tell me it isn't Shiri!"
We both sobbed in piercing pain and disbelief.
NO ONE AS SPECIAL AS SHIRI
The first thing anyone noticed about Shiri was her long, thick, blond braid reaching her calves, adorning her beautiful, lively face. Her disarming smile, her kind and intelligent eyes, and her delicate, lovely frame belied her inner strength.
Over a year ago, after serving in the army as a teacher who prepared soldiers for their high school matriculation exams, she told her family and friends that she was going on a trip to South America for a year on her own. The reaction was one of misgiving. How would such an innocent girl fair in the big wide world on her own? Who will watch over her? Though she had shown maturity, responsibility and caring beyond her years, she was still Shiri the beautiful girl with the longest hair, who looked like a teen rather than age 20.
Shiri proved these concerns misplaced. She visited far-flung places, absorbing the culture and lovingly connecting with those around her. She sent home exciting, insightful emails, keeping people breathless for more, and signing them "Shiri, world traveler."
Shiri was blossoming, and her mother told her there was no rush in coming back home to Gilo.
When the year was up, realizing how Shiri was blossoming, her mother told her there was no rush in coming back home to Gilo. After all, times were stressful in Israel, and a little more enjoyment couldn't hurt. She could stay longer if she wished, but Shiri missed home. She returned right before Passover and fell right into shouldering the pre-Passover chores without skipping a beat. She reunited with her friends, tended the garden, painted her room, and planned to go to dental school -- all with the enthusiasm, joy and love that so characterized her.
Sarah, my daughter, met Shiri several weeks ago and was so happy to reconnect with her. Just this past Shabbat, Sarah spoke about Shiri with such warmth. "Of all the girls from our high school, there's no one as special as Shiri," she said. "Her goodness, her caring, her intelligence and her sense of humor is unmatched. I'm so lucky to be her friend."
YOUNG LIVES CUT DOWN
I'm told that Shiri once playfully contemplated her slight "obsession" about her refusal to cut her hair since birth. It was a curious anomaly in this day and age. She wondered what this meant about herself, and what it may symbolize, if anything.
Some years back, when she visited a concentration camp in Poland with her high school class, one of the exhibits had a display of human hair. One of the girls pointed to a long, blond, thick braid, just like Shiri's. They always thought of her as the girl with the longest hair... yet here in the concentration camp she had met her match.
Perhaps her long hair was connected to the tragedy of the Holocaust.
A strange thought struck Shiri. Perhaps her obsession was somehow connected to the terrible tragedy that befell her people and family in the Holocaust? Maybe in some crazy, symbolic way, she was connecting with those innocent girls with the long braids, whose young lives were cut down so brutally during the most tragic time of our people?
Yesterday, hundreds of weeping people followed ‘Shiri, world traveler" on her last journey to her eternal resting place in the Jerusalem hills. We stood there unable to say goodbye. "We cast our eyes to the mountains, from where will our salvation come?" we prayed.
We asked how this could have happened to one so pure and young.
It was the same question Shiri had asked when she visited Poland.
Please, God, we wept, help us find a way to stop these hate-filled, murderous suicide bombers.
"How much more can we take?" we cried as we slowly made our way back down the hill.
Strangely, somehow, we felt Shiri's presence with us. As we hugged each other for comfort, we were slowly filled with renewed strength and hope, knowing that more than ever, Am Yisrael Chai -- the people of Israel live.
Visit www.shiri.us
(32) Gail Kazmer, May 2, 2008 7:44 PM
I have never been so moved or inspired in my life, as through this story. Please, tell me what I can do to help the cause of peace in Israel and the Middle East. Like Shiri, I strongly believe in the power that the love of one person can bring to change a hurting world. I have been looking for a way, even here from California.
God bless and keep you and make His face to shine upon you and give you peace...shalom!
A christian who loves and cares for you,
Gail Kazmer
(31) Josephine, December 4, 2007 8:42 AM
Thank you for the sharing the gift of Shiri
Long life to Shiri's family and all those that live in peace in the holy land
(30) Dave Gonzales, February 19, 2006 12:00 AM
I am so touched!!!
As i read about Shiri' background. I strongly believe she is a great loss to us.
God bless.
Dave
(29) Jimmy, February 12, 2006 12:00 AM
Thank You
I just read about and listened to Shiri singing. I'm sitting here in an american coffeehouse with tears in my eyes. I am also a songwriter and a singer. I am sick of war..but I'm sure you are much more so. What a waste of beautiful people, money, and time. Thank you so much for this website, I am weeping right now. -Love Jimmy
(28) augustine johnson, August 28, 2004 12:00 AM
a hero of israel
it will be a very long time before i forget the story of shiri and tefillah-----a long list of heros of israel has gotten longer
(27) Yossi Bainhauer, August 2, 2003 12:00 AM
Never Forgotten
Shiri and all victims of terror must never be forgotten.
(26) Eden Bebla, June 18, 2003 12:00 AM
MY HEART IS BLEEDING ,NOT ONLY FOR SHIRI
BUT FOR ALLTHOSE WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR JUST BEING WHAT THEY ARE.
(25) Miron Barhad, November 30, 2002 12:00 AM
Unbelievable
It's unbelievable that such tragedies still can happen these days! There is no justice on earth, such criminals are still alive among us and such wonderful people like Shiri are lost!
I will put a link from her web page into mine!
(24) Anonymous, August 5, 2002 12:00 AM
impressing and heartbraking!!
This is very difficult for me. I am so sad for the family. I survived the last worldwar and know very well what it is to lose a special person. My feelings go out to you.
(23) Laurie Eisenberg, July 3, 2002 12:00 AM
My heart is broken for Shiri's family, and for all of Israel. I pray that God gives Shiri's wonderful family the strength and love to get through this. I am with them and I am with you all.
(22) Tova, July 2, 2002 12:00 AM
Website in Memory of Shiri Negari
Hi,
The site address is:
http://www.geocities.com/ShiriNegari
Tova
(21) gila perach, July 2, 2002 12:00 AM
this happy flower is weeping for your lost jewel
How fortunate she was in her short life
to have had such a family as yours. You can be very proud of her. Her life is a testimony to your love and acts of goodness. Praise Gd that our people, such a people live! My heart goes out to you. You have a friend here in Vienna, Austria whenever you need one
(20) avi horowitz, July 1, 2002 12:00 AM
We hosted Shiri in Chile!
This soft spoken and wonderful girl, who touched our hearts as the picture of innocence, spent some time in our house here in Santiago Chile as well as 1 or 2 Shabatot. I am absolutely shocked... I wish to send hopes of nechama to her parents. May Hashem give them the strength to bear this terrible misery.
Hashem yinkom damah!
(19) Anonymous, June 29, 2002 12:00 AM
Missing Shiri already...
Thanks so much for your article Tova. It reminded me of just what a marvellous soul Shiri has. I had the luck of meeting Shiri & travelling together in the south of Chile during her South American trip, early this year. She was seriously such a special person to meet & stuck out amongst the other travellers like a jewel. I think this is not a coincidence that such an amazing and peaceful person like Shiri is taken away from us. I think she has reached another level with a higher mission. I have hope.
I was touched by the amount of love Shiri expressed about her family & close friends; we will all miss you Shiri. Love Anat.
(18) Jacqueline Granath, June 28, 2002 12:00 AM
Breaking Hearts
My fellow American Jews pray daily for an end to this horrific terorism. Our tears mingle with yours in Israel for the lives of those that are lost. May peace come swiftly.
Shabbat Shalom
Fri., 6/28/02
(17) Anonymous, June 25, 2002 12:00 AM
THANK YOU FOR SHARING
WHAT A BEAUTIFUL YOUNG LADY THAT HAS HAD HER LIFE CUT DOWN AT SUCH A YOUNG AGE. WHAT A LOST TO SO MANY PEOPLE. ALL THE PEOPLE THAT HER LIFE WOULD HAVE TOUCHED. I WILL BE PRAYING FOR YOU AND YOURS. MAY GOD GRANT YOU PEACE. THE PEACE THAT ONLY HE CAN GIVE. PAM B.
(16) Joe Negari, June 24, 2002 12:00 AM
Thanks
Thank you for writing such a wonderful piece about my first cousin, Shiri Negari, z"l. She will be missed.
(15) David Jutsum, June 24, 2002 12:00 AM
We weep with you.
Our hearts reach out to Shiri's family - and the many others who also lost members of their family in the recent suicide bombs. Almost every member of our church has prayed regularly for the peace of Jerusalem for many years, and we want to assure you that we stand with you in prayer during these difficult times. May G-d send you His help and grace from on high to comfort you and give you hope.
(14) dov ben esine ben essine, June 24, 2002 12:00 AM
I feel
so inept and so far away from my peopleI need so much
So totally powerless.The impact of shiri,s passing made me again think of the cruel killing of my young father durig the shoah.will it ever end?why the hatred for people that have proportionally contributed more to the well being of mankind than any other people.Shiri rest in peace,you beautifull soul!!
(13) jana, June 24, 2002 12:00 AM
It is a tragic and sad reality. We hope and we pray the bombers men dissappear soon and let Eretz Israel live in peace .
(12) saeidian sanaz, June 24, 2002 12:00 AM
Am Israel Chai !
I don' think if there is any word to describe my feelings as i lose my brothers and sisters like Shiri, in such tragic ways. But, I cry and I pray that one day soon HASHEM sed our land and our people free, as Mashiah Ben David comes for Geulah.
(11) Anonymous, June 23, 2002 12:00 AM
EXCELLENT
(10) John Fraser, June 23, 2002 12:00 AM
Shiri is not alone.She is in Gods company.
Its a sad tale of a young lass,who did not do anyone any harm,so why does it happen.Just be sure Shiri and all that rest of the victims, did not die in vain.JOHN
(9) Anonymous, June 23, 2002 12:00 AM
My heart bleeds everytime I hear about the suffering of my Jewish brethren. My prayers are daily with my Jewish brethren. Shalom! My friends! Only G-d can bring peace; May He answer our prayers!
(8) Chris Landrum, June 23, 2002 12:00 AM
Powerful article
I'm overwhelmed with emotion, reading about this lovely young woman. She's safe in the arms of G_d now. How I wish she'd lived to a ripe old age, with family and friends around her. I shall miss her, even though I never knew her.
Tucson, AZ
(7) Anonymous, June 23, 2002 12:00 AM
Separate the good from the evil.
Why doesn't Israel build demarcation to separate the good from the evil or to avoid suicide bombers?
If there is demarcation, Israel can detect suicide bombers easily.
Do it soon. Let them go to hell alone.
(6) Gloria Schwartz, June 23, 2002 12:00 AM
Shiri will live on in our collective memories of her.
May her memory be for a blessing, and may God comfort us.
(5) Anonymous, June 23, 2002 12:00 AM
thank you
Thank you! Stories like this one bring me to tears. Your web site keeps me in touch with what is happening in Israel, as I can not rely on the American media to do so. It grieves my heart to read of the great personal tragedy of so many in your great nation. I will continue to "Pray for the peace of Jersalem."
(4) Anonymous, June 21, 2002 12:00 AM
Thank You
Thank you for sharing with us the personal story of a victim of Arab Terror... I hope more people do the same. It honors the person more than just being a number in a casualty tally.
(3) George Miller, June 21, 2002 12:00 AM
So sad, just total sadness. Why? Why every 30-50 Years Anti Semitism and murdering of Jews, Why? I feel so much deep pain for Israel and Jewish people I am drowning in inner tears...WHY?
(2) Justin Amler, June 20, 2002 12:00 AM
Heart-breaking
Your article moved to me tears. I didn't know Shiri, in fact I don't any of the victims of the last 21 months, yet I feel pain when I read this article. And although I can never even begin to imagine the feelings that the people of Israel feel, I know that, being Jewish, these people are my people. Its not me and them - its us. And although I sit safely in New Zealand, I know that my heart is there.
Thankyou for this article. I want to read each victims story because I don't ever want to think of this in terms of statistics and numbers. Each person is an entire universe with hopes and dreams and aspirations. And each death of an innocent person is the destruction of the entire universe.
All I can say to my people in Israel - my thoughts are with you always. You are not alone.
(1) Anonymous, June 20, 2002 12:00 AM
Faith
It is so very sad to read these horror stories. My heart goes out to her parents and may G-d bless her soul. I can only think that G-d is testing our faith to the fullest. May He hasten his arrival.