"His initiative and vision will be felt for generations": A year since the death of the late Sheldon Adelson | Israel Today

An exciting anniversary marking the anniversary of the death of the late Sheldon Adelson, the philanthropist who loves Israel, who was a staunch Zionist and contributed greatly to the Jewish people and the State of Israel, was held today (Sunday) in the Mount of Olives Cemetery in Jerusalem.

The memorial service was attended by his widow Dr. Miriam Adelson, his children and grandchildren, former Jewish Agency Chairman Natan Sharansky, former Chief Rabbi of Israel Rabbi Israel Meir Lau, Yad Vashem Council Chairman Prof. Uriel Reichman, former Yad Vashem Chairman Avner Shalev, The chairman of the Israel Olympic Committee, Yael Arad, and many members, who came to honor his memory.

The late Sheldon's son, Adam Adelson, said at the memorial service: "Despite the preparations I thought I had made for my father's death, when he died it was clear to me that it was impossible to prepare for my father's death. Losing a person like my father is a loss that first and foremost affects his immediate family, but my father has affected millions around the world and our loss is felt by them as well. My father was a proud Jew and Zionist. Philanthropist, exemplary father, wonderful husband, entrepreneur and visionary leader. Despite all the great accomplishments in his life, he did not lose his humanity and was a true man. He always did the right thing. "His legacy will remain alive and pulsating among the people whose lives he has managed to change through his activities and his tremendous support for Judaism and Zionism."

Matan Adelson, the youngest son of the late Sheldon Adelson, said with great excitement as he choked back tears: "Dad, not a day goes by that I do not think of you and miss you, your smile, your guidance. The mourning process is difficult. Many people have shared stories about my father. Half an year ago I graduated from college, the celebration was not the same without you, I miss it. This year has grown and strengthened me, and also given me the opportunity to appreciate everything we have in life, and especially my family. "Mom always recites the verse that commands to choose life every day. Dad, I love you and miss you every day."

His daughter Jasmine Lukacs: "I do not believe it has been a year. I miss you very much, I miss sharing with you everything that happens in my life. This year we moved to Israel. I miss you even when it is not easy. I miss your warm hug, your advice and your words of encouragement "Adam and Matan send flowers to mother every Friday, as you have done for years. We will always miss you and take care of our mother. Rest in peace."

During the memorial service the grandchildren Raphael and Solomon played the violin "The Fiddler on the Roof" with the violin in memory of a grandfather who is not.

Singer Maya Avraham moved the audience with the song "When the Heart Cries".

Adelson's daughter and son-in-law Sivan and Patrick Dumont said during the memorial service: "It is difficult to grasp the impact he has had on the world. He has been huge. His initiative and vision will be felt for generations. He has focused on supporting the Jewish people, Israel and medical research." Your partnership with Sheldon was an example of true love. Together as a team you changed the world. What guided him were honesty, hard work, belief in his principles, never giving up, never being afraid to tell the truth and doing kindness on any scale. "

Sheldon Adelson's widow, Dr. Miriam Adelson, concluded the memorial service: “I was so proud and satisfied not only to be his wife, his lover, the mother of his children, his business partner and philanthropy, but also a helper against him. And as Sheldon liked to say: 'The wind is under his wings'. How strange it is that the same heaviness I did not feel then, has accompanied me since he left every day. It is the heaviness of a great loss, of a great man, who is greatly lacking. This is the heaviness of a broken heart to pieces. Beloved family, beloved friends. The anniversary is supposed to bring a degree of closing of the circle, it symbolizes the passing of the year. This is a universal landmark while it cannot be ignored. "As a devoted Jew and as a believer in the traditions of Israel, I embrace this first anniversary in my honor in honor of my beloved Sheldon, the love of my life and my soul mate."

Dr. Adelson added: “Hardly a day goes by without a letter I receive from a stranger, who miraculously recounts the graces and good deeds that Sheldon did for him. Almost every day I ask out loud what Sheldon would have done, when I had to make an important decision. For a year now Sheldon has not leaned on me. In fact, the opposite is true. Everywhere I go, it's me who leans on advice, encouragement and to share the most intimate memories. Beloved family, beloved friends. We came here to honor Sheldon's memory, to say Kaddish on the Mount of Olives where he lies among the Saints of Zion and Medina, to light memorial candles. However, we are constantly aware of Gd's commandment in the Torah: "Life and death I have given before you, blessing and cursing. And you have chosen life." I have been quoting this verse for a long time to comfort mourners, and for the past year I have recited it daily, to myself. And now, on this first anniversary - which coincidentally also marks the beginning of a new civil year - it's time to make that choice. And I choose to go out and embrace life anew.The children and grandchildren that Sheldon greatly admired are growing up and growing up. We will do it knowing that he is still with us, and that his memory shines and warms like a candle that will never go out. "

The memorial service closed with the song "On the Honey and the Sting" performed by Maya Avraham, and the participants in the memorial service joined in the singing.

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