Tragedy Strikes: New York Native Judith Weinstein Haggai Killed in Hamas Attack

Edited by: Fern Sidman

The devastating impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict has claimed the lives of innocent civilians, with the recent confirmation that New York native Judith Weinstein Haggai, 70, was killed during the initial Hamas attack on Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, as was reported by the New York Post. The tragedy follows the confirmed death of her husband, Gadi Haggai, 73, who was reportedly killed while in captivity. The report added that the couple, living peaceful lives in Israel for 30 years, fell victim to the unexpected violence that shattered their tranquil existence.

Judith Weinstein Haggai and her husband were ambushed by armed Hamas terrorists during a morning walk in Kibbutz Nir Oz, the Post reported. The couple, known for their commitment to peace and friendship, was tragically caught up in the violence that erupted in the region.

Weinstein,  originally from Goshen in upstate New York, moved to Israel three decades ago, seeking solace in the Jewish state. According to the report in the Post, as a poet and entrepreneur, she worked as an English teacher specializing in children with special needs, attention, and concentration problems. She was also dedicated to helping children cope with anxiety and depression resulting from the threat of rocket attacks from Gaza, the Post report added.

Described by her family as a peaceful person and a vegan who wrote daily haikus, Judith Weinstein Haggai’s tragic end starkly contrasts with the serenity she sought to bring to her community. As was indicated in the Post report, her commitment to education and her compassionate work with children reflected a life dedicated to fostering understanding and harmony.

The Haggai couple’s peaceful morning walk turned into a nightmare when Hamas terrorists attacked, fatally injuring Judith Weinstein Haggai and leaving her husband severely wounded. According to the information provided in the Post report, the couple was believed to be taken hostage, and Judith was able to send a text to her daughter in Singapore before communication was lost.

In the aftermath of the attack, Judith’s daughter, Iris Weinstein Haggai, revealed the details shared by her mother in a chilling text. The Post report also said that the heartbreaking account included the couple being shot by terrorists on a motorcycle, with Gadi Haggai sustaining severe injuries.

During the attack, Judith Weinstein Haggai managed to contact paramedics, seeking assistance for their injuries. However, the situation took a tragic turn when the ambulance sent to rescue them was hit by a rocket, adding another layer of complexity to the rescue efforts, the report in the Post said. The family’s last contact with the couple left them with a sense of uncertainty and fear for their well-being.

Despite paramedics’ efforts and a desperate call for help, the couple’s fate remained unknown until now. Other reports have said that Weinstein’s body was discovered in Gaza.

Despite initial hope raised by the discovery of Weinstein’s phone by the Israeli military, indicating the possibility of their survival, contact with the couple was lost. As was noted in the Post report, family members had pushed for Weinstein’s release, holding onto the belief that she might be among those freed under a deal last month. However, the heartbreaking reality unfolded as she never returned home.

Currently, there is six other American citizens, all men, who remain in Hamas captivity. The prolonged anguish faced by these families underscores the challenges and uncertainties surrounding hostage situations in conflict zones, the Post reported.

President Joe Biden expressed his devastation upon learning of Judith Weinstein Haggai’s tragic fate. The Post report also said that in a statement, he acknowledged the recent news of Gad Haggai’s believed death and emphasized the profound impact on their four children and seven grandchildren. President Biden reaffirmed the commitment to the families of those still held hostage, vowing to continue efforts to bring them home, the Post reported.

The Haggai family’s ordeal reflects the unimaginable challenges faced by families with loved ones held hostage in conflict zones.

The tragic end to Judith Weinstein Haggai’s life serves as a somber reminder of the barbarism and cruelty of Hamas terrorists and their innate bloodlust for Israelis and Jews throughout the world.