The Mandel Foundation–Israel stands with all of Israeli society at this terrible time and mourns the tragic loss of our fellows, graduates, and their family members in the murderous Hamas onslaught in the south of Israel.
Mandel Faculty, Fellows and Graduates
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Moshe Ohayon, a graduate of the Mandel School for Educational Leadership (Cohort 23), founding director of the Mandel Program for Social Leadership in the North and husband of Sarit Ohayon, a graduate of the Mandel Program for Social Leadership in Ofakim. Moshe was the CEO of the 929 Tanakh B'Yachad daily Bible study initiative. He and his son
Eliad Ohayon were killed while defending their hometown of Ofakim from the Hamas onslaught on October 7, 2023.
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Dr. Hayim Katsman, a fellow of the Mandel Program for Cultural Leadership in the Negev (Cohort 5). Hayim was a lecturer of philosophy, politics and Israeli society, as well as a peace activist, mechanic, gardener, musician and DJ. He was murdered in Kibbutz Holit on October 7, 2023, while saving the life of a neighbor.
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Ofir Libstein, a graduate of the Mandel Program for Regional Leadership in Beer Sheva (Cohort 2). Ofir was the head of the Sha'ar HaNegev Regional Council. He was killed while defending his Kibbutz, Kfar Aza, on October 7, 2023. His son
Nitzan Libstein and his mother-in-law Bilha Epstein were murdered by Hamas terrorists on the Kibbutz that day as well. His nephew Netta Epstein was killed when he jumped on a grenade to save his fiancé.
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Shlomi Mathias, a graduate of the Mandel Program for Regional Leadership in Beer Sheva (Cohort 2), and his wife
Deborah Shahar Troen Mathias were slain in their home in Kibbutz Holit during the October 7th massacre by Hamas terrorists, while shielding their 16-year-old son from the gunfire. Shlomi was a musician, music teacher, educator, and social activist; his wife Debbie was a musician and a poet.
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Dr. Eitan Neeman, a fellow in the Mandel Program for Medical Leadership for the Negev. Dr. Neeman was a senior physician in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit of Soroka Hospital and a lecturer in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. He was killed in action on October 9, 2023, while serving as a reserve combat medic.
Family Members of the Mandel Community
- Sergeant First Class Joad Aamar, a relative of Katef Morad Salama, a visiting faculty member of the Mandel Center for Leadership in the North.
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Faiza Abu Sbeeh and
May Zuhair Abu Sbeeh, mother and niece of Adel Abu Sbeeh, a graduate of the Mandel Program for Local Leadership in Wadi al-Khalil
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Sergeant Major Roni Abuharon, brother of Cochava Abuharon, a graduate of the Mandel Program for Local Leadership in Ofakim
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Abed al-Rahman al-Nasassra, a relative of Iemad Nasassra, a graduate of the Mandel Program for Local Leadership in Wadi al-Khalil
- Master Sergeant Naaran Eshchar, a relative of Livat Eshchar Netz, a staff member of the Mandel Graduate Unit.
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Sergeant Neve Lax, son of Ofra Lax, a graduate of the Mandel Program for Leadership in Jewish Culture (Cohort 5)
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Corporal Yael Leibushor, daughter of Gili Leibushor, a graduate of the Mandel School for Educational Leadership (Cohort 26)
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Lieutenant Shilo Rauchberger, son of Nirit Rauchberger, a fellow in the Mandel Program for Academic Leadership in Teacher Training
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Major (Res.) Noam and Sergeant First Class Yishai Slotki, sons of Rabbi Shmuel Slotki, a graduate of the Mandel School for Educational Leadership (Cohort 18)
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Major Ohr Yosef Ran, a relative of Elyah Kadish-Hefetz, a graduate of the Mandel Program for Social Leadership in the North (Cohort 5)
Moshe Yedidia Raziel, a relative of Nani (Elhanan) Haneman, a graduate of the Mandel Program for Social Leadership in the North (Cohort 4)
Nira Ronen, daughter of Sarah Kreimer, a graduate of the Mandel School for Educational Leadership (Cohort 11)
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Uri Shimon Russo, a relative of David (Dudi) Itzhaki, a graduate of the Mandel Program for Cultural Leadership in the Negev (Cohort 5)
- Staff-Sergeant Itay Saadon, a relative of Tehila Sade Moyal, a fellow of the Mandel Program for Cultural Leadership in the Negev (Cohort 6)
We mourn together with the families at this time of unbearable loss, stand with all members of Israeli society on the frontlines and on the home front, pray for the victory of the IDF and the wellbeing of its soldiers, and salute the bravery, solidarity and spirit of camaraderie of the people of Israel during these trying times and in the days ahead.
