National Council of Young Israel Statement on the Death of Captain Daniel Perez

March 20, 2024

We are deeply saddened by the news that IDF Captain Daniel Perez has been declared a fallen soldier by the Israel Defense Forces. Since he was abducted by Hamas on October 7, his fate remained unknown, and we joined with his family and the global Jewish community in praying for his safe return.

We call upon the international community to demand that Hamas release Daniel Perez’s body and ensure that it is returned to his family so he can have a proper burial in Israel.

We express our profound sorrow and deepest condolences to our dear friend and colleague Rav Doron Perez, his wife Shelley, and the entire Perez family, and we pray that they will have the strength and faith to persevere during this incredibly difficult time.

We continue to vigorously and vociferously call for the immediate release of every single hostage abducted by Hamas terrorists on October 7, civilians and IDF soldiers alike. Every one of them is our brother and sister and it behooves all of us to do whatever we can on their behalf.

For the past 112 years, the National Council of Young Israel has ably served the broader Jewish community. With more than 25,000 member families and approximately 135 branch synagogues throughout the United States, Canada, and Israel, the National Council of Young Israel is a multi-faceted organization that embraces Jewish communal needs and often takes a leading role in tackling the important issues that face the Jewish community in North America and Israel.