Itzik Dahan, 47: Landscape designer who was ‘always laughing’
Murdered by Hamas terrorists while fleeing the Supernova music festival on October 7
Yitzhak Itzik Dahan, 47, from Kiryat Malachi, was murdered by Hamas terrorists while trying to flee the Supernova music festival on October 7.
He attended the rave alongside friends Karla Stelzer and Gabi Azulay as well as Liraz Assulin, all from Kiryat Malachi.
When the attack began, they split up, and Itzik sought safety in a roadside bomb shelter near Kibbutz Alumim where he was ultimately slain. He was considered missing for more than a week while his loved ones searched frantically, until they were informed that his body had been identified.
He was buried in Kiryat Malachi on October 16. He is survived by his son Rafael, 6, his parents, Shlomit and Eliyahu, and his brothers Yoni and Yossi.
A child at heart, Itzik loved to party, his loved ones said, and never took life too seriously. He enjoyed traveling around the world, including spending months in India, while maintaining a strong connection to the Jewish faith and traditions.
He worked as a landscape designer, and had just wrapped up a garden project in Ashkelon not long before he was killed.
His childhood friend, Adi Harari, noted online how they met aged 12 and “from the first moment we became good friends. You were always there in the most important moments of my life.”
“The joy you had was your essence – always laughing, smiling. You are the happiest person I know. There is no one like you in the world, a true friend, always there for me in good times and bad.”
Itzik’s cousin, Keren Cohen, wrote on social media that Itzik’s “eternal smile will remain with us forever.”
She recalled “growing up together, Shabbats and holidays, at Savta’s house and with Uncle Eliyahu and so many other memories.” Itzik was a “father, friend, brother and family member beloved by all… may your soul continue to love and laugh and smile.”
His sister-in-law, Hila Dahan, wrote on Facebook of the “23 years that you were a part of my life.”
“We were opposites,” she wrote. “My work vs. your partying. My seriousness vs. your jokes. My gossip vs. your warnings against lashon hara [badmouthing]. My teetotalling vs. your indulgence. My lack of faith vs. your total faith.”
“We were opposites – with so much love and friendship,” Hila added. “You taught me how to laugh… I will miss you forever.”