Aharon Ben Yisrael-Ellis

Jan 17, 2002 - Aharon Ben Yisrael-Ellis, 32, of Ra'anana was one of six people killed when a terrorist burst into a bat-mitzva reception in a banquet hall in Hadera shortly before 23:00, opening fire with an M-16 assault rifle.

On Thursday night, a terrorist entered the David Palace hall on Weizmann Avenue in Hadera and began spraying the 180 guests celebrating the bat-mitzva of 12-year-old Nina Kardashova with automatic gunfire. The terrorist, who also carried grenades, was pushed outside by guests and killed by police who quickly arrived at the scene.

Aharon (Roni) Ben Yisrael-Ellis, a member of Dimona's Black Hebrew community, was singing with the band at the reception, taking the place of his friend, Eddi Butler, soloist of the Eden group, who had lost his voice. He was killed while saving the life of the female singer, pushing her to the floor.

Aharon (Roni) was born in Israel, the first Israeli-born child of the Black Hebrew community. His parents were originally from Chicago.

Roni had been living with Leslie Lex, mother of five, for the last six years. "He was a wonderful person, a good and devoted friend, who took great care of my five children, as if he were their father," she said. They had a son, Jordan, aged 15 months. A few years ago he left Dimona because of his love for music and became a popular singer, performing alone or with bands across Israel. He sang in Hebrew, English and Russian.

Aharon Ben Yisrael-Ellis was buried in Dimona. He is also survived by his parents and five siblings.