Alan (Avraham Haim) Beer

June 11, 2003 - Alan Beer, 47, of Jerusalem was one of 17 people killed in a suicide bombing on bus No. 14A on Jaffa Road in the center of Jerusalem.

At around 17:30, the bomber, dressed as an ultra-Orthodox Jew, boarded Egged bus No. 14A at the Mahane Yehuda market, and a short while later, as the bus drove down Jaffa Road near the Davidka Square, detonated his bomb, wrecking the bus and killing 16 of its passengers. Over 100 people were wounded, including dozens of passersby. Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack.

Alan Beer graduated the Hebrew Academy of Cleveland Mesifta Class in 1974. A film buff and computer programmer, he immigrated to Israel five years ago, settling in Jerusalem. Single, with a masters degree in physical chemistry, he came to Israel after losing his job in a hi-tech company. Even when he had trouble finding work, a problem faced by many fellow English-speaking immigrants in Israel, Alan always managed to keep his spirits up and did not think of leaving.

Beer's niece, film student Aurital Maisel said her uncle loved to see films at Jerusalem's Cinemateque, frequented by many movie buffs for its frequent screenings of old classics and foreign films. Often she would see him there, and she recalls one instance where she was not aware that her uncle was in the theater, until she heard his telltale laugh during the movie. "I knew my uncle was there. He had this happy, infectious laugh." Alan's flatmate, Heidi Friedman, related how he cried from emotion when they watched the Independence Day ceremony together last month.

Alan had gone to Hadera on a condolence visit to a friend who had lost his father and was returning home from the Central Bus Station when he was killed.

Alan Beer will be buried in Jerusalem. He is survived by his mother, Anna Beer, his brother Lenny, and two sisters - Esther Sara Carroll and Cookie Maisel, who lives in Jerusalem.