Sergeant Major (res.) Ben Zussman, the great-grandson of the late Ben and Bernice Zussman of Denver was killed Dec. 3 while fighting Hamas. He was laid to rest on Monday, Dec. 4, at the Mount Herzl Military Cemetery in Jerusalem.
Ben Zussman
Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that Zussman fell in battle in the northern Gaza Strip and identified him as a combat engineer with the 401st (Iron Tracks) Armored Brigade. He was 22.
Lior Bedein of the Himmelfarb High School in Jerusalem posted on X that Zussman was a graduate of the school and is its sixth casualty of Operation Swords of Iron.
Hapoel Jerusalem Table Tennis Assn., where Zussman was a player, described Zussman on its Facebook page as “salt of the earth” and a “hero of Israel.”
“The best of the good fell tonight fighting in Gaza,” it wrote on Dec. 3.
Israel Hayom reported that Dodik Altertz, Zussman’s former table tennis coach and whose son, Liad, was Zussman’s friend, wrote: “You infected everyone around you with your ambition, your kindness, your gratitude and doing good.”
Ben Zussman was the son of Tzvi and Sarit Zussman of Jerusalem, and the grandson of Edna and Aver Zussman, who is a part-time Denver resident.
Among his extended surviving family in Denver are great-uncle and great-aunt Eli and Lola Zussman and their children; great-aunt and great-uncle Sivia and David Fine; great-uncle and great-aunt Morty and Rayna Zussman and their children.
great uncle and great aunt David and Sivia Fine
Apologies & updated!
Sending our condolences and prayers for this young man and his family. Praying for Israel and the peace of Israel
I read on the Telegram account of Amir Tsarfati who shared “The will of the late warrior Ben Zusman.” This was written by Ben:
I’m writing this message to you on the way to the base. If you’re reading this, something must have happened to me. As you know me, there’s probably no one happier than me right now. It wasn’t just that I was on the verge of fulfilling my dream soon. I’m happy and grateful for the privilege of protecting our beautiful country and for the people of Israel.
Even if something happens to me, I don’t allow you to sink into sadness. I had the privilege of fulfilling my dream and vocation and you can be sure that I am looking down on you and smiling hugely. I will probably sit next to Grandfather, and we will bridge some gaps, everyone will tell about their experiences and what has changed between wars. Maybe we’ll also talk a little politics, ask him what he thinks.
If God forbid, you sit Shiv’a, make it a week of friends, family and fun. Let there be food, meat of course, beers, soft drinks, grains, tea and, of course, mother’s cookies. Make jokes, hear stories, meet all my other friends you haven’t met. Walla? Jealous of you. I would like to sit there and see them all.
Another very, very important point. If God forbit I fall into captivity, alive or dead. I am not ready for one soldier or citizen to be harmed because of some deal for my release. I don’t’ allow you not to conduct a campaign or struggle or anything like that. Not ready for terrorists to be released for me, in no way, shape or transaction. Don’t mince my words please.
I’ll say it again, I left home without even being called up to the reserves. I am full of pride and a sense of mission, and I have always said that if I have to die, I wish it would be in defense of others and the country. Jerusalem, I have placed guards on your walls, that one day will come and I will be one of them.
Wishing comfort and love to the family and all of klal yisrael
A most poignant last letter.
His own message was beyond any words of beautiful, admirable, inspirational.
A true and exemplary hero.
So heartbreaking to have lost him…. and others so like him.
He should be laid to rest on Mt. Herzl.
I don’t feel he was a stranger 💕
It’s a devastating loss.
Our Boy, Our Treasure