The Beit Shemesh community is reeling from the shocking death of one of the pillars of the community.

49-year-old Avihu Cohen was on his way to his daily Torah shiur when he had a sudden heart attack in front of his son. This past Thursday night Avihu passed away, leaving behind his widowed wife Dikla, and 9 orphaned children.

“I can’t believe Abba is gone. Last week we were joking together, and this week I’m sitting Shiva for him. He always took care of everyone, how did this happen?”

Avihu’s father was murdered in a brutal terrorist attack when Avihu was young, and he reacted by founding an organization to support families who lost their loved ones. Avihu always supported everyone else, but with his untimely death, his family is now the ones in need. Avihu worked as a contractor, and Dikla and her 9 children have lost their main source of income.

Months before Avihu’s death a partner robbed him of 6 million Shekel, leaving them deeply in debt, and forcing him to remortgage their house. The family is facing immediate eviction, and donations are urgently needed to save the family from homelessness and pay for their immediate needs.

After Avihu dedicated his life to helping the public, his family is now reliant on the public for their basic needs. Please save a family from homelessness so soon after their father’s death!