Israel Defense Forces and Peretz family honored in Cedarhurst

About 400 people gathered at the Sephardic Temple in Cedarhurst on June 1 at the fifth annual Five Towns and Greater South Shore dinner to honor and support for the men and women who serve in the Israel Defense Forces.

Noted criminal litigator Ben Brafman, a Lawrence residents, served as the event’s master of ceremonies, and Miriam Peretz, the mother of two soldiers who died in action, 1st Lt. Uriel Peretz and Maj. Eliraz Peretz, was the keynote speaker. Uriel was killed in Lebanon in 1998 and Eliraz was killed in Gaza in 2010.

“Every generation has its heroes,” Miriam said. “When my sons were called on to defend their people, they didn’t hesitate. After Uriel was killed, I had to sign papers to allow my other boys to become combat fighter — and despite my fear and my trembling hands, I felt privileged to do my part to support the Jewish homeland.”