Elkana Newlander

Elkana, of blessed memory, was born in Toronto during an educational mission undertaken by his family. He was the son of Avri and Nava, the fourth of seven brothers and sisters. He spent most of his childhood and education in Efrat.

Elkana was an intelligent, spirited child with boundless energy. He loved helping people and bringing them joy. He was thoughtful, articulate, and exceptionally bright, while at the same time deeply sensitive to others. He had a unique ability to recognize both the strengths and vulnerabilities of those around him.

From the age of fifteen, he volunteered as a first responder with Magen David Adom in Jerusalem and Efrat, continuing to serve as a medic during his military service. Later, he joined the student community initiative in Lod, where he volunteered extensively and played an active role in community and social projects.

Elkana studied law at Bar-Ilan University. There as well, he was known for caring deeply about his friends and for his active involvement in both academic and social life.

Alongside his studies, he continued serving as an on-call volunteer with Magen David Adom. He would leave class to respond to emergencies, help save lives, and then return to his lectures as if nothing unusual had happened, seamlessly continuing his daily routine.

On the night following Simchat Torah, October 7, 2023, Elkana joined the 99th Division, which was deployed to Be’eri. During the first days of the war, he served as a medic at the treatment center established there.

Elkana held only a basic military rifleman qualification and was not expected to serve alongside combat forces in Gaza. Nevertheless, he insisted that his expertise as a professional medic and trauma specialist could help save lives. Deeply shaken by the atrocities he witnessed in Be’eri, he felt a profound obligation to contribute to the war effort through his medical skills.

Although he had not been trained as a combat soldier, he joined the Combat Engineering Corps as an evacuation medic and later served with the reserve unit of Egoz Unit as a medic in its anti-tank platoon.

Elkana regarded participation in the war as a great privilege. He was proud and grateful for the opportunity to serve alongside the fighting forces, and he wrote about it in his journal:

“It is a true privilege to fight a just and necessary war for our home and our people. I am happy to be here. I love the people and the land.”

On the 28th of Tevet, 5784 (January 9, 2024), just two weeks after celebrating his twenty-fourth birthday, Elkana was struck by shrapnel from sniper fire in Al-Bureij, in the central Gaza Strip.

Despite extensive resuscitation efforts and medical treatment in the field, his life could not be saved. Elkana passed away at the age of only twenty-four, ascending to heaven in the midst of his mission to save others.

His courage, compassion, devotion to others, and unwavering sense of responsibility continue to inspire all who knew him.

May his memory be a blessing.