Judi Weinstein Haggai, a 70-year-old American-Israeli-Canadian, moved from New York to Toronto when she was three years old and grew up there. She made aliyah to Israel twenty years later. On October 7, during the Hamas attack on Israel, Judi was fatally wounded while out on her morning walk with her husband Gadi. Their bodies remain held in Gaza.
Judi met Gadi when she volunteered on a kibbutz in Israel. The first time she heard him play his flute, she knew they were meant for each other. Together they formed a jazz group called Jazz Union and promised each other a life centered around music, art, and freedom. When Gadi became the chef of Kibbutz Nir Oz, they moved there with joy. They were known for their strong bond - Gadi with his playful spirit and constant laughter, and Judi with her deep commitment to teaching and mindfulness.
Judi taught English for many years and more recently introduced mindfulness into the classroom to help students cope with anxiety. She loved her students so much that she resisted retiring and only agreed when she was able to pursue her dream of helping children through puppet theater and therapeutic play.
Judi was known for her kindness and for accepting everyone as they were. Even after decades in Israel, she still added “ing” to Hebrew verbs. She shared daily haiku poems on Facebook, published several poetry books, and constantly sought to learn and do good. Judi and Gadi lived by a healthy lifestyle, devoted to nourishing both mind and body.
On October 7, during their daily walk near Kibbutz Nir Oz, they lay face down in the fields trying to shelter from the rockets. At 6:50, a friend spoke with them and sensed something was wrong but never heard from them again. It was later learned that Judi had spoken with MDA and reported that terrorists on motorcycles had shot them. Gadi was murdered first, and the terrorists later returned and murdered Judi as well. Hamas took their bodies to Gaza, where they remain.
They are survived by their four children and seven grandchildren, who miss them dearly.
The information on this page is part of the 'Yizkor' commemoration project by the Ministry of Defense / the 'La'ad' website by the National Insurance Institute, in memory of the fallen. We strive for accuracy and apologize for any errors. For corrections or comments, please contact us here: https://aaciremembers.org/contact-us/ *
