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30 April 2025
By Maya, Shlicha, Rockville
Credit: Israel National News
I met Roei during our gap year in Israel at Mechinat Rabin. We were in the same group, which basically meant we were together 24/7.
From the very beginning, Roei stood out. He was a star—everyone loved him. He always had someone to talk to, something to do, someone to help. He was a true leader—constantly stepping up, volunteering, and taking on big responsibilities without hesitation.
Even though he was incredibly popular, he somehow managed to make time for everyone. Roei had this rare gift—no matter who you were, he made you feel like you were his best friend.
He made time for me, too. That meant the world to me. He made me feel like I could talk to him about anything. He always listened, always had the right words.
I miss the little moments the most—laughing in class, our silly fights, our deep conversations. He made my day, every day.
When Roei died in the war at just 22 years old, I knew I wasn’t the only one broken by the news. That day was horrible for hundreds, maybe thousands of people—people he had touched in his city, in the Scouts, in the army, in the Mechina. He had so many people that loved him unconditionally.
Just before he went on his final mission to Gaza, he said, “If I die, please do something for youth at risk—but I’m not going to die, I’m coming back to do it myself.” I think it reflects exactly who he was.