Miriam's Song

by Smadar Shir

The story of Miriam Peretz's life the story of a mother and a homeland; of love for the Land of Israel, the State of Israel, and the Jewish people; and of the victory of spirit and faith. 1st Lieutenant Uriel Peretz, commander of a Golani Brigade Special Forces unit, dreamed of becoming the first Moroccan chief of staff of the IDF. But his mother Miriam sensed that her oldest son would not leave Lebanon safely. On the day he was drafted, she became a woman waiting for news of disaster. In November 1998, Uriel was fatally wounded by an explosive device planted by Hezbollah terrorists. He was 22. Miriam transformed the pain over his death into education and volunteer service. She began to visit schools and military bases, talking about her son's leadership vision. Tragically, in March 2010 Miriam was forced to face another test. Her second son, Major Eliraz Peretz, was killed in an exchange of fire in the Gaza Strip. He died almost twelve years after he had eulogized his older Sometimes we pay a price for doing the right thing. The price of life. Eliraz, who was 32, left behind a wife and four children, including a baby just two months old. Overnight, the mother who lost two sons as well as her husband, whose heart couldn't bear the death of her oldest son, became a symbol of grief and of strength. In December 2010, IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi awarded her a medal of appreciation. He Miriam's ability to continue to express her deep pain and channel it into a contribution to the education and formation of future generations serves as an example and model of inspiration for us all.

416 pages, Paperback

Published February 15, 2016

Reviews

[Romi · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an Olah and the mother of six boys who will serve in the IDF, I was very nervous to read this book. But Miriam's words are truly a love song to her country, her sons and her husband. The book is well worth the read and I highly recommend it.

[Mindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

interesting, inspiring, very human and real

[Mimi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beyond words. Miriam Perez is an inspiration to all who meet her!

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read biography of one of the bravest woman in the world.
Touched by a triple tragedy, she has chosen to live her life by helping others, with a positive, upbeat attitude and outlook.
Honest and engaging.
I couldn't put it down despite my tears.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having met Miriam Peretz. I think she is as Amazing as her story. Have tissues ready.

[Pnina Savery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible book about a remarkable woman (and family) who shows awe inspiring faith and resilience in the face of major adversity. Hard to read at times but highly recommended.

[Chava · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartfelt memoir that is not only a personal story, but a national story that is both tragic and inspirational.

[Minette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do not have enough words to describe the woman Miriam Peretz is, inspirational, motivational and awe inspiring are just a few words to describe her. A woman who lost not one but two sons and her husband who died of a broken heart at the age of 56 after their first son was killed in the Israeli army. She tells of her upbringing by her illiterate parents in Morocco, the immigrant camp they lived in when they arrived in Israel, eventually attending university and then on to becoming the principal of a school of over a thousand pupils, her married life and her six children. For this bereaved mother, the only way to cope with her pain was to leave the education of young children behind and begin teaching soldiers, bereaved families, parents of incoming IDF soldiers, and Jews around the world (an estimated 1,000 people now hear her speak during a typical month) about what was important enough for her sons to give their lives to defend. For her resilience and tireless outpouring of love for the land and people of Israel, Miriam Peretz has won the prestigious Menachem Begin Prize, has been hugged by President Barack Obama, and has been toasted by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said, “The entire nation draws strength from her courage.” In 2014, Peretz was given the national honor of lighting the Israeli Independence Day torch. An amazing book which you will not be able to put down, but you will also need lots of tissues! I cried right from the prologue. Highly, highly recommended

[Rivka Levy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of Miriam Peretz, Moroccan immigrant, school principal, and mother to six children, is the story of a family touched by tragedy.

Two of her sons are killed, 12 years' apart, serving in the IDF, and her husband dies of a broken heart after the loss of his firstborn.

Yet this candid story is not depressing despite the tragedy it tells, because God, faith and love fill its pages, and illuminate even the darkest corners with hope.

This is one of the best books I've ever read, and a superlative example of a personal memoir that's also one of the most uplifting and spiritually-inspiring books you'll probably ever read.

[Michael Doppelt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreaking and Heartwarming

"Miriam's Song" tells so much of the Israel story from the experiences of one family. Miriam and her family arrive in Israel from a very foreign land to build a life and pursue the Zionist dream. Along the way there is abundant love and tragedy. Through it all the family stays positive. Rather than wallow in their losses, they choose to remember their fallen ones and grow as people. It was a pleasure and honor to be welcomed into this family for a few hundred pages.

[Sandra Katz-wald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book

I loved this book. Miriam is such a remarkable woman & such an inspiration to everyone. I Highly recommend this book