Over one thousand people attended the funeral of Boys Town Jerusalem graduate IDF Sgt. Ariel Sosnov, killed in a Hezbollah rocket attack on troops near the Lebanese border. Ariel, aged 20 at his death, left parents, four brothers – all BTJ grads – and a sister.
“Ariel, you fought bravely in the 605th Combat Engineering Battalion, and were set to become an officer,” Lt. Col. Moshe Katz said at the gravesite. “You put the needs of your soldiers far above your own.”
Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion eulogized, “Jerusalem has lost one of its best fighters, a defender with great dreams to bring light and courage to disadvantaged children.”
For Ariel’s teachers and classmates at Boys Town Jerusalem, his passion to help others was clear from the day he began seventh grade. “Ariel always looked out for the underdog, and gladly gave of himself,” shared BTJ Principal Rabbi Yehudah Rosencrantz. During that year, a generous BTJ donor enabled Ariel to hold his Bar Mitzvah at the school, celebrated with his family and classmates, followed by a gala breakfast. Ariel’s brilliance was immediately apparent, the principal notes. “He set records for reading the most books of any student, to this day. He was a true genius, destined to become someone great.” A born leader, Ariel gave his heart and soul to working with disadvantaged children, as well as becoming a well-loved Bnai Akiva youth group leader.
“We were given a gift from heaven, a phenomenal, intelligent, ambitious child,” said Ariel’s father at his son’s gravesite. “My humble child who was 100% values, determined to make the world a better place: I so wanted to see you reach great achievements. I am proud of your bravery in battle. We thank you for all you did, with so much love.”