First, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry (pictured below), currently on a Middle East tour to encourage a cease fire between Gaza and Israel, stopped by the hotel shiva to pay his respects to the Steinberg family. He immediately expressed his awe at the lengths their eldest son had gone to for Israel: “It’s just a huge statement about a young guy finding a place that he was so passionate about, and giving his all, putting himself on the line,” he said. “It’s an amazing story.”

Kerry entered and exited the room swiftly, surrounded by men in black and refusing to take any questions from press. But he spent a significant chunk of time — considering his tight and urgent schedule — chatting with Evie and Stuart about their son, and with Paige and Jake about their relationship with their brother and their own plans in life.

“How’s your day?” Kerry asked as he sat down. “How’s your day?” Evie asked back. “My day’s going better than yours,” he said.

“I am so honored to be here. I am in awe of your son, truly,” Kerry told the family. “And I think you know, I served in the military, and I have great respect for anybody who… especially puts themself willingly in harm’s way. And as an American, we’re so proud of the affection that he felt, just the love he felt, and the roots he found in this country.”

http://www.jewishjournal.com/hella_tel_aviv/item/idf_lone_soldier_max_steinbergs_funeral_shiva_in_jerusalem_draw_30000_inclu