HENRICO, Va. (WWBT) – On Sunday morning, Menachem Kelmason recounted his experience saving the lives of his brother and nephew during a Hamas attack on Oct. 7.
“It’s really amazing, it’s heroic,” said Josh Golberg, president of the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond.
“It gave people here a glimpse into what actually happened,” said Roni Berkovitch, an Israeli native visiting Richmond.
Kelmason was at home with his wife and children when he found out something was going on…he called his brother Elchanan to ask if his military expertise was needed, since Elchanan was in the Israel Defense Forces.
“He answered me…please come quickly,” he explained.
He recounted how he, his brother and his nephew went from house to house trying to evacuate people trapped in their shelters after the Hamas terrorist attack.
This incident lasted for 18 hours straight, with dozens of people being helped to reach a safe place while terrorists were killing innocent people and setting fire to houses.
A woman in the audience has a son in the Israel Defense Forces, so it was hard to see the images of that horrific day.
“It hurts,” said Melissa Krumbein.
The audience was grateful for Menachem’s bravery and courage in telling his story.
{SOT – OMAR MOR – FROM ISRAEL} “It was really meaningful because when you hear numbers and see photos, you don’t really understand,” said Omar Mor, an Israeli native who is spending the summer in Richmond.
“There are already people who deny the events of October 7. This makes it all the more important that we hear these reports first-hand,” said Golberg.
It is difficult for Menachen to relive these memories every time he tells what happened – especially because he lost his brother in the process.
“Everything is new, I am wounded, I have lost my brother. My brother lost his life in my hands, but my biggest fear is that I will see this picture again,” he said.
He knows he has to continue telling their story because that is what his brother would have wanted, he says.
“The deep faith in life and our mission, those are the things that give me the most strength … that and my family,” he said.
He said the support of people around the world helps him continue to move forward.
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