Shlomo Mansour, a founding member of Kibbutz Kissufim and the oldest hostage held by Hamas, was laid to rest today (Sunday) in the cemetery of the kibbutz he loved so dearly.
Many, including the President of Israel, eulogized Shlomo and shared stories about the great man that he was. A documentary published by Moment News reveals the story of Yosef Nissim Tsabri, the adopted son of Shlomo and Mazal Mansour, who in an emotional conversation, speaks about the close bond he had with Shlomo Mansour, even as he returned to his faith, choosing a Haredi lifestyle.
They Accepted Me Like a True Son
In the conversation, Yosef Tsabri shares stories portraying the special relationship he had with his adoptive parents, whom he joined as a young teenager in the Nahal program of the kibbutz.
The early days were complex, as he joined a new home with unfamiliar parents, brothers, and sisters, but the warm treatment from the Mansour family quickly made Yosef feel at home: “They accepted me just like a real son,” Yosef recalls. “For me, they were Mom Mazal and Dad Shlomo who made me feel as if they had given birth to me.” He adds, “Every dinner or barbecue that was happening if I didn’t show up right away, I would get a phone call, and if I didn’t answer, they would immediately come to check on me.”
The Close Bond Remained Strong
The close connection was maintained even after Yosef left the kibbutz: “Every time I returned to the kibbutz, no matter when and at what hour, they would come immediately to hug and kiss me and ask how I was doing.”
They Were Happy to Hear That I Returned to My Faith
Over the years, Yosef returned to his faith and chose to live a life according to Haredi values. Shlomo and Mazal accepted Yosef’s decision with absolute love: “When I told them I had returned to my faith, not only did I not receive a negative response, but they were happy to hear that I made the choice that is right and good for me. They told me, ‘To us, you’re like family.'”
One of the Happiest People I’ve Ever Seen
“Shlomo Mansour was one of the happiest people I have ever seen in my life,” Yosef passionately shares. “Whenever I arrived at the kibbutz, no matter when and at what hour, he would immediately stop everything and come to hug and kiss me.”
Yosef feels that Shlomo’s unique personality and immense joy amplify his sense of loss, but at the same time, they remind him to be grateful for the privilege of knowing him and growing up in his home. “I feel that God chose me, out of the billions of people in the world, to be there and learn from him, from my adoptive father who gave me everything he had and did everything for me.”
