News Article

Rabbi Ya'akov Litman, 40, murdered in shooting attack

His son Netanel also murdered

Nov 13, 2015 - Rabbi Ya'akov Litman, 40, of Kiryat Arba and his son Netanel were killed in a shooting attack while driving on Route 60 near Otniel, south of Hebron.

On Friday afternoon, Rabbi Ya'akov Litman was traveling with his wife Noa and six of their children were on their way to a Shabbat pre-celebration ("Shabbat Hatan") in honor of the upcoming wedding of his eldest daughter, Sarah-Tehiya, scheduled for the coming Tuesday. His son Netanel was driving the car. When he slowed down at a curve, a Palestinian terrorist opened fire. Ya'akov was apparently struck first and mortally wounded. Netanel was shot while calling for help. Both died at the scene. His wife and three daughters were lightly wounded by shrapnel and the resulting crash. Dvir, 16, was shot in the leg.

Rabbi Litman was a teacher in Kiryat Arba as well as at the Merkaz Harav Yeshiva High School. Malakhi Levinger, head of the Kiryat Arba/Hevron Regional Council, described him as "one of the most dedicated teachers in our city - a teacher who provided the children of Kiryat Arba/Hevron with Torah and knowledge on a variety of subjects, and more than anything did everything with benevolence and a constant smile that infused much good into all those around him."
 
Rabbi Ya'akov Litman was buried in the Givat Shaul cemetery in Jerusalem. He is survived by his wife Noa, his son Dvir (16), and daughters Sarah-Tehiya (21), Moriah (12), Tehila (9) and Aviya (6).