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"A honey-sweet guy who loved the country": Eliyahu Kay's friends, who were killed in a terrorist attack in Jerusalem, mourn him | Israel today

2021-11-21T18:22:47.513Z


The young man who was shot dead by a terrorist in the Old City immigrated to Israel from South Africa to enlist in the IDF - and gained many friends in the country who mourn his death • "When we realized he was murdered we were in shock, Elijah was an impressive and ambitious man"


Elijah Kay, who was killed today (Sunday) in a terrorist attack in the Old City, left behind many family and friends who are grieving his passing.

Yossi Wolf from the Chabad yeshiva in Kiryat Gat, where Kay studied from 2017-2016, says that he was "a very sociable, kind guy, surrounded by friends.

He loved to sing and play, a honey-sweet guy, really one of the best. "

Wolf adds that Kay "came from South Africa with language difficulties, but soon integrated. He loved the country very much and traveled endlessly. Became the salt of the earth."

Shooting attack in the Old City: one person was killed and four others were lightly-severely injured // Photo: Yoni Rickner

Among the activities that Kay has taken part in since immigrating to Israel is the Jewish Agency's "Journey" program, in which he participated with his friends from the yeshiva.

"He was always poisoned and always surrounded by friends," Wolf says.

"Sometimes the groups that come from abroad are a little different, until they get used to the Israeli experience.

He immediately surrounded himself with lots of Israeli friends.

"He remained in touch with the yeshiva even after he left and reached all joy - even after he enlisted."

The scene of the attack in the Old City, Photo: Reuters

Gal Farage, one of Kay's friends from the yeshiva, shares: "We have known each other for about five years. We studied at the yeshiva together for almost two years and were in fairly continuous contact in the army and beyond.

"He was a pretty conquering and adaptable guy. He came, learned Hebrew and led the guys. He was very idealistic. Even when we met at the yeshiva, before he made aliyah, he was always the one who wanted to immigrate to Israel. I asked him more than once why his family was in the south. Africa and I did not understand why a man wants to break away from his home. He explained that Aliyah is his mission and the State of Israel is his home. And he went to the army, was in the paratroopers, there was a commander there. "

Eliyahu Kay, killed in a terrorist attack in Jerusalem, on his way to work at the Western Wall, Photo: From Facebook

According to Farage, Kay also told him about his partner.

"I did not get to know his fiancée," says Farage.

"We met at a mutual friend's wedding and he said, 'I'm done with the nonsense. I knew one. She's the woman, not another girlfriend.' He showed me pictures, and I said they look like a couple, not a friend and a girlfriend.

"It's hard to put a man like that in squares. He was a big man, not giving up, ambitious. He has no middle ground. He went as commander to the end. After the army he went to volunteer in agricultural settlements. He could make sales and make a lot of money but instead chose things with meaning."

Faraj recalled the chilling moments in which he was informed of his friend's death: "We heard that there was a terrorist attack, like everyone else. We received messages on friends' WhatsApp, as usual. Suddenly they wrote that the murdered man's name was Elijah David Kay, Eli Kay. Nobody believed it at first. When we realized it - we were in shock. It was too strong to contain. Suddenly it hurts you, a guy you know, before a wedding, so impressive in every way. A man who pays attention to the smallest things. Not with us. "

Elijah Kay's funeral will take place tomorrow at 11:00 on Mount of Beatitudes Givat Shaul in Jerusalem.

Kay immigrated to Israel alone in 2016 to serve in the Israel Defense Forces.

He served in the 202nd Regiment in the Paratroopers.

His parents, Avi and Deborah, and his sister Naama immigrated to Israel from South Africa less than a year ago and settled in Modi'in, and befriended Eli and his brother in Israel.

A few weeks ago, the family celebrated the wedding of their older brother Katriel.

Kay's family said they "sincerely thank the people of Israel for their condolences."

Kay left behind parents, siblings, sister and girlfriend shocked and hurt.

Yuri Yalon participated in the preparation of the article

Source: israelhayom

All news articles on 2021-11-21

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