The local Chabad community held a memorial ceremony for fallen IDF lone soldier Sgt. Moshe Yitzchak HaKohen Katz on Sunday in Orange, CT, to mark the shloshim, thirty days since his passing.
Katz, 22, was born in New Haven, Connecticut, and was killed while fighting in Lebanon on March 29.
Hundreds of people attended the memorial event at Southern Connecticut Hebrew Academy, a Chabad elementary school Katz attended as a child. Speakers included Israeli Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter and former US ambassador to Israel David Friedman, as well as local Chabad community leaders.
Friedman conveyed a message from US President Donald Trump and spoke about the work Katz was involved in while serving in Lebanon, and the impact it will have on the residents of northern Israel.
Mendy Katz, Moshe's father, also spoke, describing both the pain of loss and his pride in his son's bravery on the battlefield.
Netanyahu issues statement following Katz's death
In March, when Katz was killed, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement acknowledging Katz's sacrifice.
"Moshe immigrated to Israel from the United States, enlisted in the Paratroopers Brigade, and fought bravely in defense of the homeland," Netanyahu wrote on X/Twitter, offering his condolences to the family.
"On behalf of all citizens of Israel, we embrace Moshe’s family in their difficult hour."