Moshe Tzvi Shapiro, 22-23, is a Canadian from Hamilton. Members of Shapiro’s family attended the Hamilton Hebrew Academy day school. An August 2023 post on the website of a Jewish summer camp stated that Shapiro lived in Jerusalem at that point, and added, “He went to Skokie Yeshiva, and then Yeshivat Hakotel/the Golani Brigade for the past 4 years. Next year he’ll be studying in Machon Lev.”

In April 2024, Shapiro’s mother, Rebecca Shapiro, published an article in the Hamilton Jewish News titled, “Reflections by a Hamilton mother of two lone IDF soldiers.” In it, she discusses Moshe Tzvi as well as one of his brothers, both of whom joined the Israeli military.

Shapiro writes, “How am I feeling? The word ‘OK’ has become a relative term for all of us since Oct. 7. When my two sons decided to join the Israeli army, I was slightly hesitant but optimistically thought that it would be a great experience for them. They would learn discipline, make great friends and protect our homeland.” She said that she was “proud of the role my sons were playing in the unfolding narrative” prior to Oct. 7, 2023.

She then describes their service in the military, noting that Moshe Tzvi “was called up right away as a reservist near the northern border of Syria and Lebanon.” Most of the article discusses her experience as the parent of multiple lone soldiers, and ends with, “Being a mom of soldiers has taught me that we are all capable of more than we ever dreamed possible—even (or especially) during challenges we don’t get to choose. May God watch over and protect all of our precious sons and daughters fighting for our homeland.”

Rebecca is the co-founder of an organization that deals with addiction issues and mental health in Jewish communities, according to her LinkedIn.