Avraham David Katz

David was among the members of the Bnei Akiva youth group in South Africa, and became one of the head counselors and the organizer of the group in Johannesburg. He developed the weekly shiur program for each member and thought up the idea of establishing a Yeshivat Bnei Akiva. At this yeshiva, which started with four students, hundreds of Bnei Torah now study.

David possessed exceptionally good traits. His friends remember that he was so moral to the extent that he had trouble coming to terms with the fact that not everyone behaved honestly and morally. He loved his fellow man, was always there to listen, and he listened more often than he was heard. The matters of the community and of the individual were always his chief concerns and he dedicated to them much of his strength. His officer said of him: "His high spirits, tremendous optimism and, above all, the sound of his laughter left a good and pleasant atmosphere among all of us."

When the Yom Kippur War broke out, David was stationed in Ketiva in Sinai, south of Port Said. On the 11th of Tishrei 5734, a tank shell struck his position and fatally wounded him. The efforts of the medics to save him were futile, and he passed away from his wounds as his lips were mouthing, "Shema Yisrael."

May His Memory Be Blessed