A young girl who lost her brother to the combat in Iraq is carrying on his memory by raising money for other military families.

Like many Jewish troops, 25-year old Jewish-American Army specialist Daniel Agami sported a yarmulke. “The yarmulke, itself, is the sign of acceptance of a higher authority. Yarmulke, in Hebrew, in Yiddish, it’s made up of two words: yira malka, which means the awe of the king,” said Rabbi Sholom Lipskar of the Aleph Institute.

Danny, as he is known to his friends, died in action on June 21, 2007 at the age of 25.

His 11-year-old sister Shaina is behind a project to make sure every Jewish-American soldier has a Kombatica, the affectionate label Danny gave his spiritual skull cap. “He was in combat, and he wore a kippot, it’s a yarmulke…so it’s called a Kombatica,” she said.

She is now selling the same skull cap to help the troops and benefit the Aleph Institute, which caters to the spiritual needs of Jewish military personnel and their families. “We started it a couple months back and, so far, we collected approximately $2,000, and the response has been unbelievable. People are ordering the Kombaticas from all over the world,” said Danny’s father, Itzhak Agami.

Shaina is conscious of the impact her project can have on the Jewish community, globally. “I feel very proud about it, and I just think it would be a great thing, and I think Jewish soldiers from around the world from the U.S. Army would be very proud that this has all happened,” said the young girl.

For the Agamis, it’s a labor of love. “It’s a double-edged sword, the way we look at it. It’s sadness and on the other hand…very, very proud of what Daniel accomplished in his young, short life.”

Specialist Agami was posthumously awarded the purple heart, bronze star and the army commendation medal. His photo is included with the Kombatica care package for troops.

(Source: WSVN)