February 23, 2010 / 9 Adar  5770

Avi was a true role model.  As a 21-year-old freshman at Brown University, Avi recently joined the Jewish Agency’s Campus Aliyah Fellowship Program, and brought with him a passion and enthusiasm for Israel and Aliyah. Avi served as a leader for all things Jewish and Israel, and inspired his peers to change the world.

Avi was killed last week by a drunk driver.

Avi joined the Campus Aliyah Fellows Program just last month and brought not only his enthusiasm for Aliyah – but his personal experiences of his own Aliyah and of serving as a lone soldier in the IDF.

After graduating high school, Avi and his twin brother made Aliyah with the Garin Tzabar program. They swiftly acclimated to life in Israel and joined the IDF. Avi served in combat during the Second Lebanon War. After finishing his service in the IDF, Avi returned this year to the United States to pursue a degree at Brown University.

He is survived by his parents, his twin brother, Yoav, an older brother, Elisha, and a younger brother, Noah, as well as the countless people whose lives he touched and changed. 

We at the Jewish Agency, and the North American Aliyah Department who knew and worked with him, are deeply saddened by this tragedy.  May Avi’s family be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem and may his memory be a blessing and inspiration to us all.