Captain Omer Neutra Z"L Memorial Scholarship Fund
Update, January 2026: On November 2, 2025, Omer was finally returned home to Israel, and on November 7, 2025, he was laid to rest.
Omer was born and raised in the United States, immersed in a traditional Jewish Zionist education. After graduating high school, he chose to take a gap year before beginning college, spending it with Israeli young adults at the Upper Galilee Army Preparatory Program in Kfar Hanasi, Israel. During this transformative year, Omer made the courageous decision to enlist as a lone soldier in the IDF through the Gar’in Tzabar lone soldier program.
Omer joined the Armored Corps, where he trained as a commander and served as an instructor at the IDF’s Armor School. His dedication and leadership led him to complete officer training, and he later served as a platoon commander in the 7th Brigade, 77th Battalion.
On October 7, 2024, Omer and his team were stationed on the Gaza border when they engaged in the initial battles to contain the attack. During the fierce fighting, Omer’s tank was hit, and he and his crew were taken captive into Gaza. After months of uncertainty, the Neutra family received the devastating news on December 1, 2024, that Omer had fallen in battle on October 7, along with two of his team members. Omer and the other two team members remain hostages today.
To honor Omer’s bravery, commitment, and selfless service, the family has established the Captain Omer Neutra Z"L Memorial Scholarship Fund.
The continued existence of the State of Israel as an independent, secure and prosperous state requires it remain at the forefront of technological innovation. At the same time, the security reality demands the best and the brightest enlist in combat positions.
The Captain Omer Maxim Neutra Z"L Scholarship Fund aims to support and empower veterans of combat units pursuing studies in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) disciplines, enabling them to focus on higher education in science and technology.
This donation form accepts both credit and debit card donations.
To make a donation by mail, make your check out to "American Friends of Tel Aviv University," write "Omer Neutra Scholarship Fund" on the memo line, and send it to this address:
American Friends of Tel Aviv University
8 West 40th Street, 8th Floor
New York, NY 10018
To donate by wire transfer, please contact Ari Wein at awein@aftau.org.
Your contribution is tax-deductible to the full extent provided by law. AFTAU's EIN number is 13-1996126.
For more information about TAU and AFTAU or to get involved, please email info@aftau.org.
Florida residents: A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Division of Consumer Services by calling toll-free within the state. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the state. For a copy of these documents, call 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352) or visit http://www.floridaconsumerhelp.com.