Two Tragic Funerals Held Back-to-Back in Yitzhar Settlement
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
The Israeli settlement of Yitzhar held two funerals back-to-back Friday night for Ruth Taller, killed in a bicycle accident days after her bat mitzvah, and Shlomo Ben Dov, who died after a long illness. Member of Knesset Zvi Sukkot shared the community's deep sorrow over the losses. Taller was a young resident, while Ben Dov was a longtime, single immigrant. The community is mourning the double tragedy.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Yitzhar settlement mourned Ruth Taller, killed in a bike accident, and Shlomo Ben Dov, who died of illness.
- Ruth Taller had celebrated her bat mitzvah just one week before her fatal accident.
- Shlomo Ben Dov was a longtime resident and an immigrant who died childless.
- MK Zvi Sukkot shared the community's grief and eulogized both deceased residents.
- Both funerals were held consecutively on Friday night in the settlement's cemetery.
The small community of Yitzhar held two heartbreaking funerals on Friday night, one after the other, for two of its residents. The first was for Ruth Taller, who had celebrated her bat mitzvah just the week prior and was killed in a bicycle accident near her home. Immediately following her service, the community mourned Shlomo Ben Dov, a longtime resident who passed away after a serious illness.
Member of Knesset Zvi Sukkot, who knew both individuals personally, shared the community's grief on his Instagram account. He described the profound sorrow of the residents gathering for the two funerals in the settlement's small cemetery. Sukkot recounted Taller's vibrant life, noting she was a close friend to his daughter and died tragically in an accident close to her home.
Sukkot also eulogized Ben Dov, whom he affectionately called "Shlomo, Honey Sage" based on his Hebrew initials. He described Ben Dov as a dear Jew who immigrated to Israel alone decades ago and settled in Yitzhar. Sukkot recalled Ben Dov's captivating stories with a heavy American accent during his time studying at the local yeshiva, and his unique habit of bringing "living water" from a spring or special olive leaf infusions.
Despite facing significant personal challenges and living far from his family, Ben Dov maintained a deep connection to the land, often walking the Samarian hills with a carved stick, observing the flora. He passed away childless after a difficult illness, with the settlement's rabbi reciting Kaddish for him as he had no immediate family to do so. MK Sukkot concluded by expressing the community's efforts to cope with the immense loss and wishing peace for the departed.