Hundreds of residents, family members, friends, and rabbis gathered at the Bnei Akiva Ulpana in Katzrin for a memorial evening for Yehonatan Klimian z"l, a yeshiva student and Bnei Akiva youth movement counselor who was killed in a tragic rappelling accident.
Yehonatan was on a family trip to Keshet Cave in northern Israel when he fell from a great height while rappelling. Rescue teams who arrived at the scene announced him dead on site.
His death sent shockwaves through his family and the Katzrin community, where he grew up and was actively involved.
Vardit Teferberg, principal of the Bnei Akiva Ulpana in Katzrin, said that the Klimian family has long been an integral part of the school's community.
"The Klimian family is a deep and meaningful part of our community, so for me there was absolutely no question," she said. "Even on the evening when we were informed of Yehonatan's death, we immediately opened the ulpana to the youth of Katzrin, so they would have a place to be together, cry, strengthen one another, and embrace each other as a community."
"The ulpana became an open house for everyone that same night, and the shuttles to the funeral also departed from here. Therefore, when the idea arose to hold a memorial evening in his honor here, it felt like the most natural thing to do."
The memorial evening was held at the ulpana, an institution with which the Klimian family has been closely connected for years. Yehonatan's sister is currently a student there, while two other sisters are graduates of the school. His mother serves as chairwoman of the parents' leadership, and members of the family regularly attend Shabbat prayers at the ulpana's study hall.
The evening was also attended by Katzrin Local Council head Yehuda Dua. Throughout the event, Torah lessons and words of remembrance were delivered by Rabbi Eliyahu Mazuz, rabbi of Katzrin; Rabbi Chaim Eisen, head of the high school yeshiva in Hispin; Rabbi Osher Tabibi; Rabbi Yoel Manovitz; and Rabbi Sagi Moldovan.
Refreshments were served in the ulpana courtyard in honor of the elevation of Yehonatan's soul.