Mourners react during the funeral of Hadar Buchris, 21, in Jerusalem on November 23, 2015. Hadar Buchris was murdered in a stabbing attack at the West Bank's Gush Etzion Junction yesterday. Photo by Mirian Alster/Flash9
Jerusalem - Once again, Jews worldwide are mourning the loss of a life cut all too short, as 21 year old Hadar Buchris was buried this afternoon at Har Hamenuchos in Jerusalem.
Hundreds turned out to say goodbye to Buchris who was killed yesterday in stabbing attack in Gush Etzion.
Buchris’ family traveled from Netanya for the funeral and her mother, Segal, told Yediot Aharanot that she had been concerned about her daughter’s choice to live in Gush Etzion, in order to study in a women’s college.
“We know the Gush well,” said Mrs. Buchris. “She was born there in Beitar Ilit and we lived there for years. Her whole childhood was spent in Beitar Ilit and she was tied to the place.”
Hadar Buchris returned from a vacation to India just two weeks ago.
“When she was in India I didn’t worry about her at all,” said Mrs. Buchris. “When she came back is when I first started worrying.”
Many could be seen at the funeral leaning on each other for support as they surrounded the body, draped by a dark velvet cloth adorned with a gold Magen Dovid, wondering how a 21 year old who was known for her oversized heart could have been brutally murdered in cold blood.
Hadar Buchris leaves behind her parents, Aryeh and Segal and four siblings, as reported by Israeli news sites Walla and Maariv.
Aryeh Buchris described his daughter as wise and sensitive to the needs of others.
“You had a big heart and everything was open for you, how much you wanted to please others,” said Aryeh Buchris. “Your tragic departure has left us in pain. We are stunned and aching. We can barely carry this. You are the type of girl who was larger than life. The ache is immense, enormous, but we will stay strong and keep the family together, now more than ever. I promise you that. We won’t stop missing you or thinking about you.”
Hadar Buchris’ grandmother, Sara Dror eulogized her granddaughter, saying that her three daughters had given her 13 grandchildren.
“Our Hadari, you grew up early and you left your parents house at age 14 to study in ulpan. Today we are standing by your grave and we can’t believe we are burying a granddaughter at such a young age.”
Family members and relatives of Israeli Hadar Buchris mourn next to her body during her funeral ceremony in Jerusalem, Israel, 23 November 2015. Hadar Buchris, 21, was killed by a Palestinian attacker who stabbed her to death at the central bus station in the Gush Etzion settlement block junction in the West Bank on 22 November. EPA/ABIR SULTAN
Mrs. Dror noted that the family had expressed concern about Hadar’s decision to live in Gush Etzion.
“We told you it was dangerous there, but you reminded us that everything is in Hashem’s hands.”
In her remarks, sister Noa Buchris spoke about her feelings one day after her sister was savagely murdered.
“Hadar, you are with us, but you will not be with us ever again,” lamented Noa Buchris. “We are not separated because you will continue to live on inside of me. Only recently have I begun to understand how privileged I am to be a part of the Jewish nation, which is alive and will live on forever.”
Noa Buchris also read remarks written by her brother Hillel.
“Just one day before I had spoken about the five korbanos who were taken from us on Thursday. I never dreamed that we would be standing here, burying you. I love so, so much.”
FILE - Hadar Buchris
Sister Maayan Buchris said that even after her death, Hadar continued to inspire and she recalled how the two embraced and took care of each other just one week earlier when they spent Shabbos together.
“Your light influences us even now,” said Maayan Buchris. “It doesn’t stop, it just comes from a greater place, on high. I don’t know what I will do now. Who I will call when things are difficult? I am coming to terms with the idea that you are not alive and it is hard for me that you are no longer here with me. I wanted to get married and to bring my children to visit you but it seems that you were destined for greater things.”
Buchri’s older brother Zohar noted that his sister’s death was incomprehensible.
“We can’t accept that a cold blooded killer took you,” said Zohar Buchris. “We miss you already and we will always remember you. We can only hope that you will be the last korban in this cruel world ... Go rest my beautiful sister. We already miss you. You know how much I loved you and we will always remember you. Go rest beautiful girl.”
Among the mourners were Israel’s chief rabbi, Rabbi Dovid Lau and several elected officials, including Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Jerusalem mayor Nir Barakat, all of whom expressed their condolences to the Buchris family. Elan Shochet, mayor of Tzefas, spoke about Hadar Buchris’ love of Eretz Yisroel, a concept reiterated by Knesset member and Minister of Religious Services, David Azoulai.
“Hadar you traveled on roads that were long and dangerous but your last journey is being made in the land that you love,” said Azoulai. “You are in an elevated place now and nothing can prevent someone who dies al kiddush Hashem from the highest rewards. All of the heavenly court is coming out to greet you.”
The brother (R) of Israeli Hadar Buchris cries as family members and relatives mourn during her funeral ceremony in Jerusalem, Israel, 23 November 2015. Hadar Buchris, 21, was killed by a Palestinian attacker who stabbed her to death at the central bus station in the Gush Etzion settlement block junction in the West Bank on 22 November. EPA/ABIR SULTAN
Family members and relatives of Israeli Hadar Buchris mourn during her funeral ceremony in Jerusalem, Israel, 23 November 2015. Hadar Buchris, 21, was killed by a Palestinian attacker who stabbed her to death at the central bus station in the Gush Etzion settlement block junction in the West Bank on 22 November. EPA/ABIR SULTAN
Mourners react during the funeral for Israeli Hadar Buchris, 21, in Jerusalem, November 23, 2015. Reuters
Mourners react during the funeral of Hadar Buchris, 21, in Jerusalem on November 23, 2015. Hadar Buchris was murdered in a stabbing attack at the West Bank's Gush Etzion Junction yesterday. Photo by Mirian Alster/Flash90
Mourners react during the funeral of Hadar Buchris, 21, in Jerusalem on November 23, 2015. Hadar Buchris was murdered in a stabbing attack at the West Bank's Gush Etzion Junction yesterday. Photo by Mirian Alster/Flash90
Mourners react during the funeral of Hadar Buchris, 21, in Jerusalem on November 23, 2015. Hadar Buchris was murdered in a stabbing attack at the West Bank's Gush Etzion Junction yesterday. Photo by Mirian Alster/Flash90
Family members and relatives of Israeli Hadar Buchris carry the body to her funeral in Jerusalem, Israel, 23 November 2015. Hadar Buchris, 21, was killed by a Palestinian attacker who stabbed her to death at the central bus station in the Gush Etzion settlement block junction in the West Bank on 22 November. EPA/ABIR SULTAN
The covered body of Israeli woman Hadar Buchris, 21, is carried to burial during her funeral in Jerusalem, November 23, 2015. Reuters
