The Midway Jewish Center in Syosset honored the life of Omer Neutra Sunday by dedicating a Torah scroll to the fallen IDF soldier.
A special ceremony was held at the temple in front of 600 people. An inscription was made into the Torah to honor Neutra calling him a hero. The Torah cover was inspired by Neutra’s Hebrew name, which translates to “wheat” and features seven leaves. Rabbi Joel Levenson said the temple raised enough money to cover the cost of the Torah and that the center will also begin providing scholarships to those participating in informal educational experiences.
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Neutra was a Plainview resident believed to have been captured during the Oct. 7 attack in Gaza and was later reported dead in December 2024. Neutra had deferred his enrollment at SUNY Binghamton to join the IDF after graduating from Schechter School of Long Island in Williston Park He served as a platoon commander in the Armored Corps.
Levenson was not the rabbi who bar mitzvahed Neutra but said that he frequently communicated with him. The rabbi said the two would even text while he was serving in Israel.
A funeral was held for Neutra at the Midway Jewish Center in December. He was posthumously promoted from commander to captain as hundreds of people attended the ceremony.
While he was thought to be held hostage, there were rallies throughout Long Island and around the world demanding his freedom as well as the freedom of the other hostages. Multiple Long Island groups continue to hold walks every week to call attention and raise support for releasing the remaining hostages.
Hostages have been exchanged between Israel and Hamas since a three-step cease-fire agreement between the two sides was initially agreed upon on Jan. 15. Neutra’s parents, Ronen and Orna Neutra, spoke to lawmakers in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday about their son’s story. Levenson had one message for the Neutra family as they continue to fight for their son and other hostages.
“They’re not alone,” he said.