Date of Birth: 13.9.1983
Place of residence: Jerusalem
Place and date of death: Killed by Arab terrorists infiltrating the Atzmona Pre-Military Yeshiva-Academy, 7.3.2002
Place of burial: Har Menuchot cemetery, Jerusalem
Age at time of death: 18
Survived by: Parents, brothers and a sister
Ariel was the oldest child in a family that made aliya from France. He was an older brother to Rephael, Ephraim and Miriam. He was raised and educated in Jerusalem. He attended the state-religious Gila School. While a teenager, his family left for shlichut in France and Ariel attended an Israeli school in Paris. Following the 3½ years of shlichut, he completed his elementary school years at the Dugma School in Jerusalem. Ariel was the oldest child in a family that made aliya from France. He was an older brother to Rephael, Ephraim and Miriam. He was raised and educated in Jerusalem. He attended the state-religious Gila School. While a teenager, his family left for shlichut in France and Ariel attended an Israeli school in Paris. Following the 3½ years of shlichut, he completed his elementary school years at the Dugma School in Jerusalem. From a young age, Ariel was discovered to be a mature older brother; a responsible leader. After graduating high-school, Ariel decided to study at the Atzmona pre-military Yeshiva-academy, and was delighted when he was accepted. He soon became a dominant figure. His constant smile caused those around him to feel his joy of life and to partake of it. Ariel was self-confidant, yet not arrogant. He never held a grudge, he was optimistic; he always searched for the “hidden good.” He hoped to serve in the paratroopers, but his larger dream was to be an emissary of peace.
On Thursday night, March 7, 2002, a member of the Hamas terrorist organization infiltrated the southern Gaza Strip. He reached the academy’s campus and fired in every which way. He threw a hand grenade at the campus and the dormitory. Dozens were injured and five killed, among them Ariel. Those who were killed were all students. Ariel was 19 at the time of death. He was survives by his parents, 2 brothers and a sister. He was laid to rest at the Har Menuchot cemetery, Jerusalem. The book Chamushei Ohz was published by the Atzmona academy in memory of the five students who were killed. It contains the stories of their life and death.
