While sheltering another soldier, Major (res.) Dan Windenbaum was struck by an anti‑tank rocket and killed instantly.
By Hezy Laing
A unique Torah scroll dedicated in memory of the late Major (res.) Dan Windenbaum was placed this week in the Achi Varei synagogue in Ra’anana, in a ceremony that blended profound grief with a powerful sense of pride.
What made the moment especially moving was the crown of the Torah scroll itself: it was crafted from Dan’s own military helmet, transformed into a symbol of his courage, his service, and the legacy he left behind.
Dan Windenbaum, just 24 years old, fell during Operation Iron Swords after rushing to defend his comrades in the Gaza Strip.
On October 7, 2023, he immediately enlisted in the reserves and joined the 5037th Battalion of the Yiftah Brigade, first guarding Israel’s northern border before being called into the heart of the fighting in Gaza.
On January 12, 2024—12 Tevet 5784—Dan spotted anti‑tank rockets being fired toward his unit.
He managed to shout a warning and even pushed one of his fellow soldiers into cover.
Moments later, he was struck by an anti‑tank rocket and killed instantly, sacrificing his life to save others.
The Torah dedication ceremony drew young people from across Ra’anana, along with soldiers, families, and community leaders.
As the Torah was carried through the streets under a traditional canopy, Dan’s helmet—now polished, mounted, and sanctified—rested atop the scroll like a silent testament to his bravery.
Residents described the moment as one in which the sacred and the personal merged: the eternal words of the Torah crowned by the very object that had accompanied Dan through battle.
Dan was laid to rest in the Ra’anana military cemetery, leaving behind his parents, his brother, and two sisters.
His mother, Aviva, spoke with heartbreaking tenderness, urging those present to “dare to live big, just as Dan dared to love, embrace, travel and dream.”
She thanked her son “for choosing me to be his mother,” adding that he somehow knew she would be able to carry the weight of this new role.
The Torah scroll will now be read regularly in the synagogue, ensuring that Dan’s name and story remain woven into the spiritual life of the community.
Each time the scroll is lifted, the helmet‑crown will stand as a reminder of a young man who lived with purpose, fought with courage, and gave everything for others.
