Asher Marcus

Mar 7, 2002 - Asher Marcus, 18, of Jerusalem was one of five youths killed when a Palestinian gunman penetrated the pre-military training academy in the Gush Katif settlement of Atzmona.

Hamas terrorists entered the southern Gush Katif community, opening fire and throwing hand grenades at the school and nearby houses, killing five and injuring 23. Asher Marcus and Tal Kurtzweil were killed by gunfire in the study room.

Asher Marcus attended the prestigious academy in Atzmona, a highschool that combines religious studies and military training. In the days before the attack Asher was at home with his mother. She asked him to stay one more day, but he hurried back to Atzmona. "I am in a yeshiva," he answered.

Marcus's father Yitzhak eulogized him, saying his son chose the academy in order to study Torah and become a better person. "My son tried to be good at everything. He went to study the Torah, and to be a good Jew," he said.

Asher Marcus was buried in Jerusalem. He is survived by his father, Yitzhak, his mother, Rivka, and his two brothers.