Dear Mr. & Mrs. Porat and family,

I along with a group of friends from the UK recently visited Israel on an Ezra tour of yeshivot. During the tour we spent an afternoon with Yochai. Yochai came to show us one of the MDA ambulances. He told us about the amazing work he was doing, and how he had dedicated his whole life to helping others. He was so enthusiastic about being a medic as it enabled him to give to those less fortunate than himself. It’s painfully ironic that Yochai who helped everyone; Jew and Muslim alike, was so senselessly taken from us in this costly battle of deep yet unfounded hatred. Unfortunately we only had the privilege of spending a few hours with Yochai, but even from those short few hours of time, one could see what a caring special person he was. All the e-mails I’ve received, and the obituaries I read in the newspapers described a loving son and brother and all around kind and good-hearted person; a role-­model we can all aspire to emulate. I have no doubt in my mind that Yochai went straight to a special place in heaven even if its difficult: for you his family and all those fortunate enough to have come into contact with him during his short but incredibly productive and giving life.

I realize that nothing I can say will remove the grief and pain you are suffering, but would like to offer my deepest condolence. I hope that you can take some comfort in the knowledge that Yochai rests in a better more perfect place in where the peace for which he lived and tragically died is eternal.

Avi Portnoy