Remembering Olga: A warrior for Israel

On nearly a daily basis, for most of 470 days, Israel has suffered the death of civilians due to terrorist rockets and missiles, stabbings, and shootings; hostages whose bodies have been recovered and repatriated; and the loss of more than 400 soldiers in combat. Whether we knew any of the victims or not, each loss is a national tragedy, knocking the breath out of us as we hear the stark words “cleared for publication.” 

This is especially the case for soldiers, because as a people’s army, they are our sons and daughters literally and generically. In too many cases, they are also husbands and fathers, leaving behind hundreds of widows and thousands of orphans. Each soldier’s death is noted in the print, broadcast, and electronic media, many times over, so we have a glimpse of who we’ve lost, and the depth of the loss to the family in mourning. 

On January 6, Israel lost another brave warrior who devoted her life for defending Israel and the Jewish people.  But she wasn’t an Israeli, and she wasn’t Jewish. She didn’t wear the uniform of the IDF (though I suspect she’d have been honored to). Olga Meshoe Washington was a dynamic young South African native, a devout Chrisitan, who put Israel’s defense only second to her family: husband Joshua, sons Ezra and Judah, her parents Rev. Kenneth Meshoe (a member of the South African parliament and head of the African Christian Democratic Party) and her late mother Lydia who died just two years before; and her extended family. 

Minus the IDF uniform, Olga was every bit as much a warrior for Israel. Accordingly, in her memory and honor, unique accommodations have been made to bury Olga not in her native South Africa or adopted home state North Carolina, but in Israel, literally in the Land and among the people who she loved and for which she advocated relentlessly. 

Olga’s death is being felt and mourned literally around the world. It’s evident from a truly overwhelming outpouring of condolences and memories of her too short life, that she made a unique and indeed very personal impact on tens of thousands. There are many stories, memories, and inspirations that those of us who were privileged to know Olga will take with us. Many Jews and Israelis, like me, are not only mourning, but feel compelled to share about her life, so that millions of other Jews and Israelis will understand what a great loss we have all experienced, collectively, even if we never knew much less heard of Olga. 

Reflecting her life, following Olga’s social media one sees two main things reflected today that were the center of her life: her family and her advocacy for Israel and the Jewish people. Being South African, she was particularly busy counteracting the slanderous antisemitic actions of the South African government in recent years, something for which her voice was clear and respected. Allegations that Israel was an apartheid state that it was committing war crimes and genocide, are things that Olga refuted easily, with intelligence, clarity, and poise.  

This week, a group of friends and colleagues gathered virtually from four continents, to reflect in a deeply emotional conversation about Olga and her life. We are all mourning, but just as in the Jewish tradition to visit a house of mourning to comfort the mourners, by sharing stories of her life, we found this to be a comfort to ourselves, and also a way to reflect on Olga’s greatness. 

Olga was described in Biblical terms, like Ruth, who gave up everything that she could have been as a young partner in a major South African law firm to devote her life and energy to Israel. People described her warmth, her wisdom, that she’s irreplaceable. At 44 she did so much in her life, its overwhelming to imagine what she could have done, and what we all have lost. One noted that it feels like the earth shifted off its axis. Underscoring the huge impact she made, someone shared that others were contacting her saying, “I felt so close to Olga but now seeing that everyone was so close to Olga.” 

The hardest part of the conversation was talking to her young sons, so that when they are ready, when they want the women they will marry to know about their mother, they can get a glimpse of Olga’s greatness and can remember her through others. Hopefully this will be a comfort to Olga’s sons and extended family, and also to inspire others – Jews and Christians – to pick up the torch she carried so high, and run with it. (You can see the entire conversation here.) 

Olga’s legacy will surely continue in her children, described as royalty coming from two families of Christian Zionist leaders, but also in the lives of the many whom she touched. Being buried in Israel is not something to be taken lightly, especially when it comes with involvement of the office of the President. Indeed, it’s unprecedented. In her death, as in her life, Olga’s memory and legacy is a lasting testimony. She will be laid to rest on January 22, followed by memorials in South Africa and North Carolina, amid thousands of mourners, Jews and Christians coming together in solidarity to honor her. 

In Jewish tradition, participating in someone’s funeral is a Biblical obligation known as a “chesed shel emet,” an act of loving kindness at its most pure because it can never be repaid To help the family defray the significant cost of burial in Israel, with everything involved, a crowd funding campaign has been established for people around the world to contribute to her burial. The funeral will also be live streamed for those who wish to participate virtually. 

Olga Meshoe Washington was a friend, natural leader, mentor, brave warrior, woman of devout faith, and an inspiration and source of wisdom, and guidance to us all. We pray that her family will be comforted by the outpouring of love and support from around the world, and that we will measure up to continue Olga’s legacy and radiate her light and legacy. Writing about someone in the past tense means accepting that she’s no longer with us, which is one of the hardest things for those who knew her. But we take strength from the words that Olga would comfort us with, “All is well.” 

Rest in peace, dear Olga. We will always remember you with fondness, reflecting your smile even amid our loss. Your legacy lives on with us, and you and your love for Israel will never be forgotten.