By Gloria Ogbonna
In a tragic incident, Hayim Katsman, a 32-year-old Israeli-American and peace activist, lost his life while shielding his neighbor, Avital Alajem, and two young children from Hamas terrorists in an invasion of Kibbutz Holit, Israel. This heroic act ended up saving three lives.
Hamas terrorists, who had infiltrated Kibbutz Holit on a Saturday, fired upon Katsman, who courageously absorbed the bullets, ultimately giving his life to protect his neighbor and the innocent children. Tragically, the terrorists abducted Avital Alajem and took her to Gaza.
On their way, the terrorists also kidnapped a four-month-old baby and a four-year-old boy. However, at some point during the kidnappings, the terrorists abandoned the children, allowing Alajem to rescue them and return to the kibbutz.
Avital Alajem expressed her gratitude for Katsman’s selfless act, saying, “Hayim in Hebrew is ‘life.’ That’s the meaning of his name. And he gave life to this planet as he saved me, and I was able to save two kids.”
Alajem personally visited Katsman’s mother to share the story of her son’s heroic sacrifice. Hannah Wacholder Katsman, his mother, was deeply moved by her son’s actions and called his death “chilling.”
Hayim Katsman, who held a doctorate in international studies, had a profound interest in religious Zionist communities and the connection between religion and radicalism.
According to friends and mom Hannah, Israeli peace activist Hayim Katsman accomplished a lot in his short life and touched the hearts of many, before dying on Kibbutz Holit while saving the life of a neighborhttps://t.co/VL4d0InLKn
— Haaretz.com (@haaretzcom) October 15, 2023
He was recognized as an “emerging scholar” by the Association for Israel Students. Additionally, he was actively involved in peace initiatives, including Mahsom Watch, which monitors Israeli military activities in the West Bank.
Katsman, known as a music lover, worked in the kibbutz as a landscaper and car mechanic. He also contributed by coordinating an Israel-Palestine research group at the University of Washington and teaching Hebrew to teenagers at Kadima, a Reconstructionist congregation in Seattle.
Despite receiving a teaching offer in a small American college town, Katsman chose to return to Kibbutz Holit. He had initially moved there after completing his army service with the goal of revitalizing the aging and isolated community.
Hannah Wacholder Katsman spoke of the heart-wrenching ordeal of waiting for her son’s body to be returned. She acknowledged that her son was one of many civilians whose bodies were being processed following their tragic murders by Hamas. The scale of this loss posed immense challenges for the authorities.
She stated, “They are not equipped to deal with that scale,” reflecting the agony experienced by many families awaiting the return of their loved ones.
Hayim Katsman’s selfless act of heroism has touched the hearts of many and stands as a testament to the extraordinary lengths people will go to protect one another in the face of danger.
Source: The Jerusalem Post And breitbrat