Hundreds Gather in Katzrin for Memorial Evening Honoring Teen Who Died in Caving Accident

Hundreds of residents and family members convened at the Bnei Akiva Golan Ulpana in Katzrin on Friday evening for a special memorial event dedicated to the late Yehonatan (Tony) Ephraim Klimian, a 16-year-old from Katzrin who tragically died earlier this week. Yehonatan fell from a height while rappelling in the Keshet Cave, and rescue teams pronounced him dead at the scene. The event featured Torah lessons and speeches by several rabbis, including Rabbi Eliyahu Mazuz, Rabbi Chaim Eizentel, Rabbi Osher Tavivi, Rabbi Yoel Manovitz, and Rabbi Sagie Moldovan. The gathering took place at the Ulpana, a school closely connected to the Klimian family: Yehonatan's sister currently studies there, two other sisters are alumni, and his mother serves as chair of the parents' committee. The family’s community also prays regularly at the Ulpana’s Beit Midrash. Katzrin Council Head Yehuda Dua attended the event as well.

Vered Tepperberg, head of the Bnei Akiva Golan Ulpana, described how the institution immediately opened its doors to local youth following the tragedy, providing a space for mourning and communal support. She said, "The Ulpana became an open home that night," and that hosting the memorial evening felt like a natural continuation of that support. The Ulpana also served as a gathering point in the days after the accident, offering comfort and strength to the community and family. Refreshments were served during the event in memory of Yehonatan, underscoring the community’s solidarity in the wake of the loss.