Neriya Zisk, 24, from Kibbutz Masu’ot Yitzhak, was killed in northern Gaza on Dec. 27, 2023. He served as a company commander in the 401st Armored Brigade's 52nd Battalion.
His family is now dedicating a new synagogue, called Mishkan Neriya, in the newly built Ne’ot HaKfar neighborhood of Kiryat Malakhi. The project, they say, reflects the ideals that Neriya lived and died for: defense of the nation, faith and bringing people together.
“Our goal is to create a synagogue where everyone feels welcome, secular, traditional, religious or ultra-Orthodox,” said his father. “It will represent the unity that was so central to Neriya’s character."
Neriya was the third of eight children born to Galit and Yisrael. His family describes him as mischievous, kind-hearted and slightly shy. He was a devoted son who honored his parents, a caring and empathetic young man who spread joy and warmth. Friends saw him as trustworthy, someone who was always willing to lend a hand. He spoke with humility and attentiveness, and was someone people could talk to openly.
Shlomo Artzi, alongside Neriya Zisk's parents, dedicates a song in memory of the fallen officer
(Video: Courtesy of the family)
“As a commander, he combined professional rigor with strong personal values in his leadership," said his father. “He never let them off easy, but he cared deeply and listened to each one. Whenever new recruits joined his unit, he always asked for the most challenging ones, convinced he could help them improve.
After completing his regular military service, Neriya worked in agriculture, spraying crops near his kibbutz. A few months later, he fulfilled a longtime dream and flew to South America, where he joined four close friends who had begun their trip two months earlier. He traveled through Peru, Colombia and Panama.
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Neriya Zisk during his post-army trip in South and Central America
(Photo: Courtesy of the family)
When he heard about the Hamas-led October 7 terror attack and the outbreak of the Iron Sword war, Neriya didn’t wait for an official call-up. Though he had not received an emergency order, he returned to Israel immediately.
“He flew to Spain and then caught a flight to Israel,” his father recalled. “There was no room on the plane, so he squeezed into the cockpit. He made up a story that he had been called up, even though he hadn’t. He was determined to serve, regardless of his rank," said his father.
His parents had urged him to wait for an official summons. “It didn’t help,” said his father. “He said it was his duty to defend the homeland during wartime.”
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Neriya Zisk during his post-army trip in South and Central America
(Photo: Courtesy of the family)
Throughout the fighting, friends said Neriya remained focused and determined to win, always wearing a smile that lifted the spirits of those around him. Even after a serious eye infection sent him to the hospital, he insisted on returning to his unit just days later.
He continued to fight, driven by a deep sense of belonging and commitment to his fellow soldiers, the army, and the country, as he put it at the time, “All the way, because there’s no other choice."
During combat in the Tuffah neighborhood of Gaza City, a metal cable became entangled in the tracks of his tank. Neriya volunteered to exit the tank and fix it while his company commander covered him. Moments later, a sniper shot Neriya in the upper body, killing him instantly. The commander was moderately wounded trying to retrieve him, and the rest of the crew managed to pull both of them back under fire. His father emphasized the bravery of the team that carried out the rescue.
In the months following his death, a song was composed in his honor titled "Achi Min Ha'Shiryon" (“My Brother from the Armored Corps”) by the Pirchei Yerushalayim boys choir. The lyrics and melody were written by Hanan Avital, based on details shared by the family. The song tells Neriya’s courageous story and reflects the values he embodied.
“There’s one message I want people to remember,” said his father. “Neriya came back from the other side of the world to defend the country. That says everything. Today, more than ever, we need to listen to one another and care for one another. It’s okay to argue, but we must never forget that we have one country, and we must protect it."