The volunteer, Adv. Israel Witschner z"l 5718-2018 Israel, z"l, was a long-time friend, from the 362nd Armored Battalion where he served as a tank driver and I as the battalion rabbi from the day it was established, so we were bound by a bloody alliance, after the fierce battle at Sultan Ya'akov. His walks and behavior were like a son of Torah in every respect, it was said of him that he brought the yeshiva with him to the army, he was excellent in grammar in Halacha, as easy as in hamorah, and this was a continuation as a thread of his behavior between a man and his friend. He was always looking for more and more ways to help every single person, and as a result of his devotion to the goal of doing kindness, he volunteered in the ranks of ZAKA Tel Aviv. He would vacate his business and busy day and help the organization in his capacity as a lawyer and did so as if he were a family member, with a heart of desire and joy. His activity was carried out in a dignified and serious manner, as a direct continuation of his functioning as a tank driver who, when the order was given, sat in his small cell for about 14 hours in a row. His heart was open to giving with all his might. In his departure from our people, he left behind a huge void and his absence is evident, as one of the most special of the group, which was one of the first and departed while it was in full bloom. Too bad for Dabedin. [His friend Rabbi Elazar Gafni, Chairman of ZAKA Tel Aviv] Yisrael Aryeh Witschner, son of Avraham Aharon and Esther z"l, passed away on Monday, Tammuz 5778. I was his older sister, but in many ways he was bigger than me. His sharp vision, his quick perception, his long-term observation and the ability to accurately assess the future consequences of his actions in the present – all these were understandable in his lifestyle and actions. He was a man of truth and action, loved by mankind, and full of desire and energy to magnify and glorify Torah. In his professional work as a lawyer, he mastered the subtleties of law, always finding ways to help family, friends and clients. I learned from him to examine things in depth, to stand up for your opinion but also to know how to be flexible. [His sister: Rachel Kolender, who will be slaughtered]
