News Article

Rabbi Reuven Birmacher killed outside Jaffa Gate

Father of seven

Dec 23, 2016 - Rabbi Reuven (Eduardo) Birmacher, 45, of Kiryat Yearim/Telshe Stone was killed in a stabbing attack outside Jaffa Gate, at the entrance to the Old City of Jerusalem.

Rabbi Birmacher taught at the Esh Torah Yeshiva in the Jewish Quarter of the Old City. He had just passed through Jaffa Gate on his way home when he was attacked by two terrorists, suffering multiple stab wounds to the upper torso. He was evacuated to the Hadassah Ein Kerem hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries.

Born into a secular Jewish family in Argentina, he became Orthodox in his youth and five years ago immigrated to Israel with his family. Described as "a man full of joy and life," he joined the Esh Torah Yeshiva two years ago, where he taught in the Spanish department to students from South America. He was the brother of well-known Argentine Jewish author Marcel Birmajer.

Rabbi Steve Berg, the Director General of Aish Hatorah, described Rabbi Birmajer as "a wonderful man and a beloved rabbi, who was loved by his students." He added, "His students would come into our yeshiva not even knowing the Hebrew alphabet. He was very patient and worked with them to bring them up to speed." Rabbi Birmajer served as a source of inspiration to them: "It is one thing to teach young men who come from a lifetime background of Jewish studies. It takes a special type of man to have the patience to work with students who come with no background."

Rabbi Reuven Birmacher was buried in the Givat Shaul cemetery in Jerusalem. He is survived by his wife and seven children, aged 2 to 18.