A tremendous tragedy has befallen our Yemin Orde community with the senseless murder of Yonatan Douich, z"l, the son of our beloved school principal Uri, in a terror attack that occurred on August 11th. The attack occurred just a few kilometers from his home in Beit Shean, as he was driving to visit his fiancée and go to a job interview.
Uri came to us with extensive experience as a principal in the city of Beit Shean. A graduate of the Village Way Milestones for High School Principals while still in Beit Shean, we were thrilled that his participation in that program was a catalyst in his decision to join the Yemin Orde staff last year. He had been a part of our team for only one month when the war broke out, and despite the unprecedented challenges we faced over the past year, Uri stepped up and played a positive, meaningful role, always working to doing things for the good of the school.
When we received the tragic news of Yonatan’s death, we had two immediate instincts. We wanted to comfort the family, but we also worked to ensure that all of our youth were contacted — those who are currently in the village as well as those who aren’t — in order to share the news in the most personal, sensitive way. In addition, we are going to arrange for organized visits to the Shiva for those kids who want to go. Our social workers are available to counsel them individually, and are also prepared to work with the Yemin Orde staff.
Yonatan was serving in an elite combat unit when the war broke out. His family was understandably worried for his safety, and relieved when he was released from duty just a few short weeks ago. Yonatan was known for his volunteer work, and shared that he had chosen to start working in a youth village as an informal educator because he understood the deep importance of doing such work, wanting to enter the field of education so that he could give back to Israeli society and help to make it better.
Yonatan and Emunah got engaged several months ago, and were planning to get married in the coming month. He is survived by his parents, Uri and Tehiya, five siblings, and his fiancée. Unfortunately, this is not the first time the family has experienced a tragedy — Uri’s brother was killed during his military service 33 years ago.
The Yemin Orde community bows its head in sorrow over the loss of a member of our family. Our hearts are broken.
May Yonatan’s memory be a blessing to all who knew and loved him.