Media Room

We Remember

Nishmat’s students, faculty, alumnae, staff and friends 
are completely heartbroken 
at the loss and brutal murder of a beloved teacher and scholar, mentors to our students, and cherished friends 

Rabbi Eitam and Naama Henkin

HaRav Eitam Shimon ben HaRav Yehuda Herzl v' HaRabanit Chana Henkin, Hy"d   

Naama bat Chanan v'Hila Armoni, Hy"d

We share the grief of our Founder and Dean, 
Rabbanit Chana Henkin and Rabbi Yehuda Henkin,
our teacher and mentor, and the entire Henkin and Armoni families. 

Rabbi Eitam and Naama Henkin met at the tender ages of 16 and 17, and instantly became an indivisible force of love, wisdom,Torah, humility, tzniut, and talent. Rabbi Eitam, who served as a sergeant in the Israel Defense Forces, studied at Nir Yeshiva in Kiriyat Arba. He was a revered teacher at Nishmat and the Talmid Muvhak (closest disciple) of his father, Rav Yehuda Herzl Henkin, Nishmat’s halachic authority.  Described by his doctoral advisor, as a 'child prodigy', Rabbi Eitam's first scholarly volume and his first historical book were published in his early 20's, and over 40 of his writings on Torah and Jewish law have appeared in publications. He was at work on his second and third book, and his doctorate when the young couple’s lives were tragically cut short. Rav Eitam was on course to be one of the great rabbinic authorities of the next generation. 

Naama, a talented artist and poet, did national service in Sherut Leumi and studied at Michlelet Emuna. She was an exceptionally talented graphic artist who designed Nishmat’s websites, newsletter, and much more in the last several years. In addition to running her own studio, she created a typography course to enable hareidi men and women to enter the workforce, and was a regular contributor to various forums across the religious spectrum. The couple were live-in dorm parents at Nishmat in Jerusalem before moving to Neriya to raise their four sons, Matan, Nitzan, Neta, and Itamar, who survive them. 

Rabbi Eitam and Naama Henkin were truly unique citizens of the Jewish nation, cherished by family, disciples, and all who knew them. They lived lives of idealism and kedusha, deeply committed to family, Torah, Israel and the Jewish people.

As a nechama to the Henkin family, Nishmat is launching a campaign, the proceeds of which will be used to dedicate the Israeli Program at Nishmat as the "Rav Eitam and Naama Henkin Program for Israeli Women".  May their memories be for a blessing.

To contribute in Israel click here 

To make a tax-deductible contribution in the United States click here

Choose the Rabbi Eitam and Naama Henkin Memorial Fund from the drop down menu. 

Notes of condolence sent to [email protected] will be shared with the family.