Body of Missing Jewish Soldier Found After Half a Year

Over half a year after Dovid Strober, an ‘Or Avner Chabad’ graduate from Vinnytsia, Ukraine went missing after going to battle on the front lines of war, DNA testing confirmed that he had fallen in a minefield and his body was brought back for a levaya before Shabbos.

For more than half a year, the Jewish community in Vinnytsia, Ukraine, had been trying to uncover what happened to their community member, David Strober, an outstanding Jewish student from the local Jewish school “Or Avner – Chabad.”

“Dovid was a role model,” said Rabbi Shaul Horowitz, the city’s rabbi and Shliach. “As a child, he stood out for his talent, dedication, and commitment to his studies. When the war in Ukraine broke out, he chose to enlist on the front lines out of a deep sense of duty.”

As a brave and determined soldier, he trained in several European countries and always strove for excellence, even under the harshest conditions.

On April 23, eight months ago, Dovid had his last conversation with his father. From the front lines, he described the difficult situation: “They’re bombing us very heavily.”

After that, all contact was lost. The family, together with community leaders, launched extensive efforts to locate him. “We reached out to senior officials who could help, but for months, we received no clear answers,” Rabbi Horowitz explained.

This week, the tragic news arrived: DNA testing confirmed that Dovid had fallen in a minefield on occupied land, where his body had remained for a long time. On Friday evening, his funeral was held, accompanied by an emotional gathering of the community and the recitation of Kaddish in his memory. Many tears were shed at the funeral, and family members delivered heartfelt eulogies.

“Dovid was a brilliant student and a courageous fighter, an inspiring figure and a symbol of resilience and determination,” Rabbi Horowitz concluded. “His memory will always be with us. May his memory be a blessing.”

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