Widow of Fallen IDF Soldier Weds His Close Friend in Moving New Beginning | WATCH

In a moving symbol of healing and resilience, Odeya Fenigstein, widow of Sergeant First Class (res.) Maoz Fenigstein, who was killed in battle during Israel’s war in Gaza, has remarried. On Wednesday evening, she wed Elhanan Atiya, a close friend of her late husband. Their union marks a poignant step forward, emerging from deep loss toward renewed hope and love.

Odeya and Elhanan announced their engagement earlier this year, a moment met with joy and emotion by friends, family, and their wider community. At the time of the announcement, a family friend expressed heartfelt sentiments about their journey: "Take a moment for good news, Elhanan and Odeya are engaged, thank G-d. Odeya is the widow of Maoz Fenigstein HY”D, who was killed at the start of the war. Elhanan is a friend of Maoz and the brother of two beloved neighbors."

Reflecting on the emotional complexity of this new beginning, she added, “Only the Master of the Universe can weave comfort from lack, bring life from loss, and in an incomprehensible bearing of opposites, craft a greater story beyond our grasp. A new life, a new home, a new chuppah. Mazal tov.”

Maoz Fenigstein, just 25 years old, was a dedicated soldier and a beloved member of the Givat Hanan community in Susya. He fell in battle in the northern Gaza Strip in December 2023. Known for his infectious smile and warm personality, he was deeply connected to the land and people of Israel. Described by his family as joyful, kind, and always radiating positivity, Maoz studied at several prominent religious institutions, including the yeshivas of Bnei Netzarim and Ramat Gan, and later at Yeshivat Re’uta in Carmel following his military service.

Maoz left behind his wife Odeya and their infant daughter, Teneh, who was only three and a half months old at the time of his death. In the spirit of giving and continuity, his family made the noble decision to donate his organs, offering life to others even amid their profound grief.

Odeya, who hails from the Bar-Eli family in the community of Asael, carries a distinguished legacy. She is the great-granddaughter of Rabbi Moshe Tzvi Neriya zt"l, the renowned founder of the Bnei Akiva Yeshiva High School and Ulpena network, a cornerstone of Religious Zionist education in Israel.

Her marriage to Elhanan Atiya is a testament to human strength, faith, and the deep bonds that can endure even after loss. Their new life together is a continuation of the values that Maoz held dear, community, family, and the enduring spirit of the Jewish people.