Aish HaTorah, the Jewish community of South Padre Island, Texas, the Golani Brigade, and all of Israel are mourning the loss of Sgt. Sean Carmeli, one of 13 soldiers who fell bravely in battle over the weekend in the Shejaiyah area of Gaza City.
Sean, known in Hebrew as Nissim, was born to Israeli parents, Alon and Dalya Carmeli, who raised him in South Padre Island, Texas. Though they were part of a small Jewish community of under 100 people, Sean connected to his Israeli roots and Jewish heritage throughout his childhood and early teenage years.
The Carmelis were leaders in their Jewish community. Alon Carmeli sponsored the community’s first Torah scroll and dedicated the synagogue in memory of his father-in-law, Nissim Buganim, after whom Sean, now of blessed memory, was named.
At the beginning of Sean's high school years, his parents made the decision to move back to Israel. Four years later the Carmelis moved back again to Texas and Sean was faced with a big decision.
Instead of going back to Texas with his family, he stayed in Israel. He chose to study at Aish HaTorah to strengthen his knowledge about Judaism before entering the army to defend the Jewish people and the land of Israel.
His friends from Aish have great memories of him. Jason Kipp, one of his roommates, remembers Sean’s constant positive energy. “He was just a happy guy,” Jason told Aish.com. “Whatever he was doing, he was enjoying it. He didn’t complain. Everyone loved him. He was always smiling and people gravitated towards him.”
From Aish (Sean is on the left in red)
“Sean inspired me by seeing someone determined to do the right thing whether or not he enjoyed it,” recalls Effy Cohen who studied with Sean at Aish. “He was always encouraging others to do what was right.”
Sean enlisted in the Israel Defense Forces as he had planned. Jason says it was not a difficult decision for Sean. “He loved Israel. For him it was just kind of a given. He wanted to do his duty.”
In 2012, Sean was drafted. He posted on his Facebook page at the time: “Can’t believe I’m joining the army in 7 hours, goodbye freedom, see u in 3 years.”
Two years later, on July 20, 2014, Sean fell in battle. On a mission to eliminate Hamas weapons caches in the Shejaia region of Gaza, Sean and five of his fellow Golani Brigade soldiers were killed by Hamas terrorists who used homes to launch attacks on Israeli soldiers.
Sean personified that Jewish ideal. He pushed himself to stay in Israel, to learn, and to defend.
He was laid to rest Monday night in Haifa, Israel. The day of the funeral, the Maccabi Haifa soccer team posted the funeral information on social media. The message, which noted that Sean was a lone soldier from abroad, read, “Come and pay final respects to a hero who died so that we could live.” Over 20,000 people from all walks of life attended the funeral to pay their last respects. The vast majority never knew Sean but were inspired by his story. He inspired them in his death, just as he inspired his classmates at Aish during his life.
Throughout Jewish history, Jewish heroes usually come out of nowhere. King David, for example, did not become a leader because he was “next in line.” He was simply a young Jew who recognized a situation that called for leadership. He only became King after he filled the void in the battle against Goliath. We are responsible for the world. Don’t wait for the experts or governments to lead. If you see a need in the world, it is incumbent on you to take responsibility for it.
At age 21, Sean personified that Jewish ideal. He pushed himself to stay in Israel, to learn, and to defend. He put it all on the line for the nation of Israel. Ultimately he paid the ultimate price, for which he will never be forgotten.
(20) maureen ostro, July 28, 2014 11:14 AM
horrific
what a tradgedy for one so young and especiallly for his family who must be suffering beyond belief a their loss. What a shander and so sad for his family and friends a big loss to all. Not much connsolation to his parents their is no replaceent for such a loss...........
(19) Rachel, July 27, 2014 8:44 PM
Inspiring
Sean Carmeli died for the Jewish people. All most of us ever are asked to do are to live for the Jewish people. I will try to remember that when it's easier not to do a mitzvah.
May G-d comfort his family and all who mourn.
(18) Manasseh, July 27, 2014 2:08 AM
He laid his down so others may live
As we pray for Ysrael daily we also stand with the dear bereaved family.
According to the 'code of the warrior' He is a hero for; "He laid his down so others may live"
(17) cindy graham, July 25, 2014 5:08 AM
A TRUE HERO
May your soul rest in peace. you are a true Hero to G-D for protecting Israel...my sympathy goes also to your family. I will continue to support the IDF...Nissim Carmeli you are my Hero as well.... Thank you again for protecting Israel..RIP my hero
(16) rajel, July 25, 2014 5:03 AM
Nissim is an example for all of us that really love Israel. My sympathy and blessings to his family and a special blessing to all Israel soldiers.
(15) Jeffrey Nathan, July 25, 2014 3:13 AM
U.S. citizens fighting for other countries
I have seen many criticisms from other Americans stating that Jews fighting for Israel are traitors to the U.S.In the U.K there are many young men of Moslem persuasion going to Syria & Iraq to fight,your comments?
Anonymous, July 26, 2014 6:41 PM
israel is americas allies, we are both fighting terror.
We are both fighting the same war against the same enemy.
(14) Aaron, July 25, 2014 2:40 AM
"Yeish Me She'kunah Olomo Besha Achas"
There is a famous teaching in the Talmud, "Yeish Me She'kunah Olomo Besha Achas", clearly this is applicable here, where Sean HY'D was able to raise his eternal portion to such heights (the likes of which most humans will never attain) in so short a life.
May his memory be a blessing to all of Israel.
(13) Alice, July 25, 2014 1:58 AM
A true hero
I have read so much about him in the past few days. What a true hero he is and inspiration to us all. I am positive that his soul has ascended to the highest level of Gan Eden. May Hashem give his parents and family the courage and strength at this difficult time. They should be proud of the amazing young man they raised.
(12) José Manuel dos Santos, July 25, 2014 1:52 AM
Loving and protecting his inheritance.
My deepest feelings. He did not go away without fruits. He is remembered, Amen!
(11) Diane, July 25, 2014 12:26 AM
Thank you Sean-you gave the ultimate sacrifice
I have known so many young Americans who have gone to Israel and joined the IDF. One of them was in an elite group and entered Gaza the last time ground troops went in. My husband was in the US Marines and nearly lost his life in Vietnam. Now, at age 70, he would be just as willing to go to help the IDF. My son, an Israeli by birth and US citizen through me, also served in an elite Israeli Navy unit when tensions were tough in Lebanon. As a mother, I feel for the parents of every fallen soldier. I am proud of Sean who made the conscious decision to serve not only in the IDF, but in the elite Golani brigade. My condolences to Sean's family and to the families of the others who lost their lives defending our great Jewish nation of Israel. Courage is running towards the fire, and Sean showed he had courage and much more, a love of Judaism and Israel. Am Ysrael Chai!
(10) Anonymous, July 24, 2014 11:54 PM
Hashem should shower the rest of the family only with peace and nachat.
(9) Y'Didyah, July 24, 2014 9:56 PM
Thank you Sgt. Carmeli
(8) Richard Glick, July 24, 2014 9:54 PM
His Family
May Ha'Shem comfort Alon and Dayla among the mourners of Aion and Jerusalem.
(7) Albert Tabah, July 24, 2014 4:59 PM
Thank you so much dear Nissim Carmeli one of so many
IDF heroes.We are so proud of you being an Israely jew.
All the nation of Israel is praying the all mighty for taking
care of you up there in haeven. Your soul be blessed Albert
(6) John, July 24, 2014 4:44 PM
From one to another
As a retired NCO in the U.S. Army, I hope your final journey (and to all of Israel's fallen soldiers) to the creator of all things is as it is written RIP.
(5) Rosa, July 24, 2014 4:34 PM
Responce
May your soul be lifted n find peace thank you fir everything you did n touched peoples life????????????? that goes to all Hashems soldiers!!!!
(4) Francine Lashinsky, July 24, 2014 3:18 PM
May Sean's memory be for a blessing. He had a true Jewish heart. He loved Israel, torah and the Jewish people. My sumpathy to his family.
(3) Anonymous, July 24, 2014 2:57 PM
Nissim Carmeli
This young "lone soldier" will live on in the hearts and minds of the people whose lives he touched directly, as well as for those who were not privileged to know him. Now in "blessed memory" would like to thank his family, too, as they did a splendid job of raising him to be the young man he became.
(2) texas kay, July 24, 2014 2:35 PM
Some Texans are morning too.
There are many in Texas who mourn the loss of Nissim Carmeli. We pray for his family and thank him for his determination to live and give his life for his beliefs and love of Israel.
(1) Yehudith Shraga, July 24, 2014 11:52 AM
Always with us in our memories and hearts
Thank you, Nissim Carmeli for you outstanding life bestowed to the Land and People of Israel, thank you so much for giving the example of a real Man, who studies Torah and fulfills his duty to the best he can and to the maximum anybody may only imagine. Thank you for being with us in the most difficult times the Israel faces, thank you for adding to the Merit of People of Israel, thank you for keeping us safe here on earth and there in Heaven.