Baltimore Jewish Life | Tears And Grief As Three Terror Victims Laid To Rest (Photo Essay)

Posted on 11/20/15

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Tears And Grief As Three Terror Victims Laid To Rest (Photo Essay)

By: Sandy Eller

Jerusalem - One day after their deaths, three of victims of yesterday’s bloody violence were being remembered by their loved ones at tearful funerals held in Israel.

A nephew of Reuven Aviram, 51, mourns during his uncle's funeral in Ramle, Israel November 20, 2015. Aviram was one of two people killed yesterday in a Palestinian stabbing attack in Tel Aviv. REUTERS/Nir Elias

Jerusalem - One day after their deaths, three of victims of yesterday’s bloody violence were being remembered by their loved ones at tearful funerals held in Israel.

32 year old Rabbi Aharon Yasaiv, father of five young children, was buried last night in Cholon. Hundreds of members of the Bucharian community in Cholon and Tel Aviv, as well as many rabbanim, turned out for the funeral, where Yasaiv’s young wife could be heard sobbing, according to Israeli news site B’chadrei Chareidim.

51 year old Reuven Aviram, one of the two victims of the Tel Aviv stabbings, was buried this morning.

“A terrible misfortune has hit us, a terrible tragedy,” said Aviram’s 26 year old son Uriel at today’s funeral. “Dad was the anchor of the family, a happy man with a huge heart, with endless giving.”

Arutz Sheva report that Uriel Aviram described his father, who emigrated to Israel from Russia in 1990, as a well educated individual.

“My father was my best friend, a humble man who left us before his time.”

Aviram, a Ramla resident who also leaves behind a grieving wife, was eulogized by Mayor Yoel Lavi of Ramla, who noted that the entire city is in mourning with the Aviram family.

“I hope Israel will know how to capture the killers and those who send them,” said Lavi.

Friends and relatives mourn near the body of Reuven Aviram, 51, during his funeral in Ramle, Israel November 20, 2015. Aviram was one of two people killed yesterday in a Palestinian stabbing attack in Tel Aviv. REUTERS/Nir Elias

In Alon Shevut, hundreds flocked to the K’far Etzion cemetery, as an overflowing crowd came to bid a final farewell to Yaakov Don, a beloved educator and social education coordinator who worked in nearby Efrat.

“You were murdered by animals because you’re Israeli and because you’re a Jew,” said Don’s brother in his hesped. “Oy, what an Israeli you were. What a Jew you were.”

In an emotional address, Don’s wife Sarah spoke tearfully of the close relationship that she and her husband shared, as reported by Walla News.

“My dear Yaakov, you always said to me, ‘What did I do to deserve having you as a wife?’ but it was I who was the lucky one. I merited a loving, attentive husband. How much feeling and warmth you had for everyone. For me, the children, your parents. You were a simple man in a giant way. There was nothing I lacked. I thank Hakadosh Baruch Hu for the 22 rich years we had together. Please beg Hakadosh Baruch Hu that he will give me strength to continue.”

Mrs. Don noted that her husband had just recently observed that he hadn’t done much in the house recently because he had been busy with work.

“You were wrong,” said Mrs. Don. “You did everything for everyone and for yourself you wanted nothing.”

“Abba I need you,” cried the eldest of the Don children, Aviad. “I need a father who learns with me, who is proud of me ... I want to sit next to you when you drive one more time. I want to hug you tightly. It is hard to understand why and how and where are you? The only one who could help me understand something like this is you, but you are not here. Abba, teach me to be optimistic in moments like this, for me, and for the whole family. Abba, don’t forget to keep loving me.”

Family and friends of Rabbi Yaakov Don mourn near his body during his funeral in Kfar Etzion, in the West Bank on November 20, 2015. Rabbi Don a resident of Alon Shvut settlement was killed in a terrorist drive-by shooting in Gush Etzion yesterday. Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90

Among those in attendance were Knesset speaker Yuli Edelstein, Minister of Education Naftali Bennett, Davidi Perl, mayor of the Gush Etzion Regional Council and Rabbi Shlomo Riskin, chairman of the Ohr Torah Stone schools, which includes the Derech Avot High School for Boys where Don had taught for many years. Both Edelstein and Rabbi Riskin compared Don to his biblical namesake in their eulogies.

“Tomorrow we will read about Yaakov Avinu who dreamed of a ladder on the ground that reached to the heavens, exactly like you,” said Edelstein. “You were a man of values who always looked to the highest heights. You were an example to us all.”

Don was remembered by his co-workers as someone whose ever present grin brought warmth and strength to everyone around him.

“In dealing with any problem, when we got off on the wrong food and thought there’s no solution, Yaakov would come with his mischievous smile and his rolling laugh that filled the hallways and would calm you and roll with you in hardships and in joy,” said Yaakov Stern, a Derech Avot staff member.

Don leaves behind his wife Sarah and four children: 21 year old Aviad, 19 year old Maor, 17 year old Yedidya and 13 year old Racheli.

Also killed in the attack were 40 year old Shadi Arafa of Chevron and 18 year old yeshiva student Ezra Schwartz, whose funeral will be held in Boston.

Below photos: Funeral of Terror Victim Aharon Yesiab

Relatives of Aharon Yesiab, 32, one of two Israeli men killed in a stabbing attack in Tel Aviv on Thursday, react during his funeral on November 19, 2015. (Credit: FLASH90)

Family and friends Aharon Yesiab, 32, one of two Israeli men killed in a stabbing attack in Tel Aviv on Thursday, reacts during her husband’s funeral in Holon, Israell on November 19, 2015. (Credit: FLASH90)

Relatives and wife of Aharon Yesiab, 32, one of two Israeli men killed in a stabbing attack in Tel Aviv on Thursday, react during his funeral on November 19, 2015. (Credit: FLASH90)

The wife of Aharon Yesiab, 32, one of two Israeli men killed in a stabbing attack in Tel Aviv on Thursday, reacts during her husband’s funeral in Holon, Israell on November 19, 2015. (Credit: FLASH90)

Relatives and wife of Aharon Yesiab, 32, one of two Israeli men killed in a stabbing attack in Tel Aviv on Thursday, react during his funeral on November 19, 2015. (Credit: FLASH90)

Funeral of Terror Victim Reuven Aviram

Friends and family participate in the funeral of 51-year-old Aviram Reuven in Ramla on November 20, 2015, Aviram Reuven is one of two Israeli men killed in a stabbing attack in Tel Aviv on Thursday, November 19. (Credit: Flash90)

Friends and relatives stand next to a photograph of Reuven Aviram, 51, during his funeral in Ramle, Israel November 20, 2015. Aviram was one of two people killed yesterday in a Palestinian stabbing attack in Tel Aviv. (Credit: REUTERS)

Friends and relatives carry the body of Reuven Aviram, 51, during his funeral in Ramle, Israel November 20, 2015. Aviram was one of two people killed yesterday in a Palestinian stabbing attack in Tel Aviv. (Credit: REUTERS)

The wife (standing C) of Reuven Aviram, 51, mourns along with friends and relatives during his funeral in Ramle, Israel November 20, 2015. Aviram was one of two people killed yesterday in a Palestinian stabbing attack in Tel Aviv. (Credit: REUTERS)

A nephew of Reuven Aviram, 51, mourns during his uncle’s funeral in Ramle, Israel November 20, 2015. Aviram was one of two people killed yesterday in a Palestinian stabbing attack in Tel Aviv. (Credit: REUTERS)

Funeral of Terror Victim Ya’akov Don

Family and friends of Rabbi Yaakov Don carry his body during his funeral in Kfar Etzion, in the West Bank on November 20, 2015. Rabbi Don a resident of Alon Shvut settlement was killed in a terrorist drive-by shooting in Gush Etzion yesterday. (Credit: Flash90)

Friends and family attend the funeral of Rabbi Yaakov Don in Kfar Etzion, in the West Bank on November 20, 2015. Rabbi Don a resident of Alon Shvut settlement was killed in a terrorist drive-by shooting in Gush Etzion yesterday. (Credit: Flash90)

Family of Rabbi Yaakov Don mourn during his funeral in Kfar Etzion, in the West Bank on November 20, 2015. Rabbi Don a resident of Alon Shvut settlement was killed in a terrorist drive-by shooting in Gush Etzion yesterday. (Credit: Flash90)

A relative of Ya’akov Don, 49, looks at his body draped in a prayer shawl as he mourns during funeral services in the West Bank Jewish settlement of Kfar Etzion, south of Jerusalem, 20 November 2015. Don was killed on 19 November in a shooting attack by a Palestinian in the nearby Gush Etzion settlement block. The attacker also killed a young American Jewish student who was visiting Israel during a gap year abroad. (Credit: EPA)

A relative of Ya’akov Don, 49, cries at the body draped in a prayer shawl as he mourns, during funeral services in the West Bank Jewish settlement of Kfar Etzion, south of Jerusalem, 20 November 2015. Don was killed on 19 November in a shooting attack by a Palestinian in the nearby Gush Etzion settlement block. The attacker also killed a young American Jewish student who was visiting Israel during a gap year abroad. (Credit: EPA)

The body of Ya’akov Don, 49, is placed into a grave covered with a Jewish prayer shawl, which is then removed, during the funeral in the West Bank Jewish settlement of Kfar Etzion, south of Jerusalem, 20 November 2015. Don was killed on 19 November in a shooting attack by a Palestinian in the nearby Gush Etzion settlement block. The attacker also killed a young American Jewish student who was visiting Israel during a gap year abroad. (Credit: EPA)

Relatives and friends embracing at the funeral services for of Ya’akov Don, 49, in the West Bank Jewish settlement of Kfar Etzion, south of Jerusalem, 20 November 2015. Don was killed yesterday in a shoot attack by a Palestinian in the nearby Gush Etzion settlement block. The attacker also killed a young American Jewish student who was visiting Israel during a gap year abroad. (Credit: EPA)

epaselect epa05034185 A relative of Ya’akov Don, 49, cries at the body draped in a prayer shawl as he mourns, during funeral services in the West Bank Jewish settlement of Kfar Etzion, south of Jerusalem, 20 November 2015. Don was killed on 19 November in a shooting attack by a Palestinian in the nearby Gush Etzion settlement block. The attacker also killed a young American Jewish student who was visiting Israel during a gap year abroad. EPA/JIM HOLLANDER (Credit: EPA)

Israelis gather at the funeral of Ya’akov Don, 49, at the cemetery in the West Bank Jewish settlement of Kfar Etzion, south of Jerusalem, 20 November 2015. Don was killed on 19 November in a shooting attack by a Palestinian in the nearby Gush Etzion settlement block. The attacker also killed a young American Jewish student who was visiting Israel during a gap year abroad. (Credit: EPA)

Relatives of Ya'akov Don, 49, mourn during his funeral in the West Bank Jewish settlement of Kfar Etzion, south of Jerusalem, 20 November 2015. Don was killed yesterday in a shoot attack by a Palestinian in the nearby Gush Etzion settlement block. The attacker also killed a young American Jewish student who was visiting Israel during a gap year abroad. (Credit: EPA) Relatives of Ya’akov Don, 49, mourn during his funeral in the West Bank Jewish settlement of Kfar Etzion, south of Jerusalem, 20 November 2015. Don was killed yesterday in a shoot attack by a Palestinian in the nearby Gush Etzion settlement block. The attacker also killed a young American Jewish student who was visiting Israel during a gap year abroad. (Credit: EPA)

Relatives mourn near the body of Ya’akov Don, 49, during his funeral in the West Bank Jewish settlement of Kfar Etzion November 20, 2015. Don was killed yesterday in a Palestinian attack near the Gush Etzion settlement bloc in the West Bank. (Credit: REUTERS)

Israeli men carry the body of Ya’akov Don, 49, during his funeral in the West Bank Jewish settlement of Kfar Etzion November 20, 2015. Don was killed yesterday in a Palestinian attack near the Gush Etzion settlement bloc in the West Bank. (Credit: REUTERS)

Israeli men lower the body of Ya’akov Don, 49, into a grave during his funeral in the West Bank Jewish settlement of Kfar Etzion November 20, 2015. Don was killed yesterday in a Palestinian attack near the Gush Etzion settlement bloc in the West Bank. (Credit: REUTERS)