Beit Shemesh School Memorial: Sports Field Honors Student

A poignant ceremony marked the start of the school year Tuesday at Ahavat Yisrael boys' elementary school in the Ramah Alef neighborhood of Beit Shemesh. The school dedicated a newly renovated sports field to the memory of Hillel Mordechai Dadon, a second-grader who should have been returning to class with his classmates but was murdered two weeks ago in a stabbing attack that shocked the city.

Hillel Mordechai was a student at the school and loved playing soccer. Beit Shemesh Mayor Shmuel Greenberg and school principal Dasi Nachmani decided to honor his memory and passion for the game by renovating the school's sports field in time for the new academic year.

Hillel's brother kicks a ball (Beit Shemesh municipality)

Hillel's parents, Amos and Tamar Dadon, attended Tuesday's dedication ceremony along with other family members.

Also present were Education Director Yitzhak Almaliah, Deputy Mayor Moshe Shtrit, Deputy Mayor Rina Hollander, Deputy Mayor Nati Gabai, Municipal Director Eliad Abramchik, and Education Department Head Yossi Goldring.

In a deeply moving moment, Hillel's brother Yosef Dadon, who also attends the school, kicked the ceremonial first ball into the goal. The gesture symbolized both the continuity of life and the family's ongoing connection to the school where Hillel studied.

Mayor Greenberg said at the ceremony: "All of Israel has been strengthened by Hillel Mordechai's parents and the faith they radiate even through their tremendous pain. Hillel was supposed to open the school year here this morning, at his school, together with his friends. We are dedicating this field to his memory and will continue working so that his spirit and memory accompany the school and the community."

Hillel's father, Amos Dadon, delivered remarks filled with both faith and grief: "I thank the Almighty for the great gift we received, our Hillel Mordechai. I want to thank Mayor Shmuel Greenberg, the school principal, the welfare department, and the entire Beit Shemesh municipality staff, who embraced us from the moment of the tragedy. With great pain and with hope, we are dedicating here a field that will express Hillel Mordechai's joy of life. With G-d's help, may we meet only at happy occasions."

Hillel Mordechai Dadon was killed approximately two weeks ago in a stabbing incident in Beit Shemesh. The suspect in the murder, Liel Ifrgan, was arrested shortly after the attack and his detention has been extended by the court. Police investigation revealed that the suspect arrived at the vicinity of the apartment where the victims were located several hours before the incident, spoke with the landlord and left, then returned and stabbed the children.