Bereaved Yeshiva Head Urges Safety After Losing Two Sons in Netanya Drowning Tragedy
On Tisha B'Av, a day of mourning for the destruction of the Temple, the Israeli news site Kikar HaShabbat launched "Project 0," a national initiative aimed at preventing accidents during the summer break between yeshiva study periods. The project’s goal is clear: zero casualties, drownings, and accidents this summer. The launch featured a poignant interview with Rabbi Shlomo Spiegel, a yeshiva head who lost both his sons, Dovi and Avi, in a drowning tragedy at a beach in Netanya.
Rabbi Spiegel recounted the tragic day when his family went to the Netanya beach, unaware of the dangers. Despite seeing a barrier and broken stairs, they were told the beach was open, and over 100 people were present. His sons went into the water, with Avi deciding to join his brothers for what became their last time together. The parents stayed on the cliff due to knee pain, assuming the beach was safe. Suddenly, rescue vehicles arrived, and Rabbi Spiegel’s youngest son ran to them, saying, "They are performing resuscitation on Dovi and searching for Avi." Despite efforts, Dovi could not be revived, and Avi’s body was found ten days later in Herzliya.
Rabbi Spiegel described the ordeal as a "hellish Shabbat," emphasizing his unwavering faith despite the loss. He rejected the notion of questioning "why me?" and stressed the importance of blessing God even in hardship. He also addressed misconceptions about negligence, explaining that Avi had refused to enter the water without a lifeguard’s supervision earlier that day. The family believed the beach was supervised, but the lifeguard was from a nearby beach and could not detect the dangerous currents.
The rabbi issued a stern warning to parents and yeshiva students to strictly follow safety laws and not to be "smarter than the rules" set by nature reserves and maritime authorities. He urged everyone to treat safety regulations with the same seriousness as medical advice. Rabbi Spiegel concluded with a heartfelt request for yeshiva students going on vacation to study a few pages of Talmud in memory of his sons, hoping it would also protect them.
Following this interview, Project 0 will continue with practical safety training sessions alongside emergency services, including maritime police, ZAKA divers, Magen David Adom, and rescue units, teaching how to read the sea, avoid dehydration, and return home safely.
