Maoz Fenigstein, dead at 25, was an Israeli soldier killed in Gaza in December 2023.
Fenigstein was featured in a May 2025 article from JFeed titled, “Born from Tragedy: How a Fallen IDF Hero Brought Two Hearts Together.”
The article states: “In a tale that blends heartbreak, tribute, and unexpected romance, the memory of fallen IDF reservist Maoz Fenigstein, killed in Gaza in December 2023, has led to an extraordinary love story among his former classmates in Montreal, Canada.
Maoz Fenigstein, a reservist who fell battling Hamas terrorists, left behind a legacy that reached far beyond his native Israel. As a child, Maoz lived in Montreal, where he attended the Hebrew Academy [a Jewish private school]. His death in combat deeply touched his former classmates, particularly Eliana, who proposed a meaningful tribute on their class WhatsApp group.
She suggested raising funds to donate special edition copies of Mesilat Yesharim to their alma mater and other schools, encouraging students to study it in Maoz’s memory.
The call to action resonated with Benjy, a classmate who had barely spoken to Eliana during their 12 years at school together. Moved by her idea, Benjy reached out, offering to volunteer in Israel and personally deliver a copy of the book to Maoz’s family. This small gesture sparked a connection between the two, leading to conversations, a courtship, and, remarkably, their recent marriage.”
Fenigstein’s obituary on the Friends of The IDF website states: “Master Sgt. (res.) Maoz Fenigstein, 25 who loved the land of Israel, was full of joy, and always had a smile on his face, was killed on December 19 in Gaza, serving as a combat reservist in the 7008th Battalion of the Commando Brigade’s Special Force Unit. Maoz, who resided in the community of Giv’at Hahanan, studied in the Yeshiva Bnei Netzarim and Ramat Gan, and later at the ‘Re’uta’ Yeshiva in Carmel. Known as a lover of the outdoors, Maoz could be found skiing in Canada or cycling in the Judean Hills. After his death, his organs were donated, saving many lives.”
