Brother of the Late Hadas Tapuchi: "Hashem Knows What He is Doing"

Hadas Tapuchi, a 30-year-old young woman, was killed in a car accident, leaving four children without a mother. Her family wants to know if it was a nationalistic attack or a car accident. Her older brother, Yuval Negzam: "There is a difference if we tell the children that their mother was murdered sanctifying Hashem's name or died in a car accident. It's important for us that an investigation be conducted."

Tapuchi was killed about a week and a half ago in a car accident on Road 465 near the settlement. Today (Tuesday), her family decided to fight to expedite the investigation. Her older brother Yuval Negzam (46) says: "The only thing we officially know is that there was an accident. During the shiva, we heard many indications that certainly raise suspicion that the accident happened on nationalistic grounds. Hadas was very concerned about this issue of stone throwing, she lived in Atarot and spoke with the security officer on the subject. Because she traveled a lot, she was worried. She was supposed to participate in a training session for residents on what to do in such situations, but it was too late."

Hadas, a mother of four (ages 9, 7, 5, and 3), managed a musical project in the Binyamin Regional Council, hence she traveled between settlements and was often on the road. Negzam adds: "Every week stones are thrown in this place. She was on her way home from work and was killed 500 meters from the entrance to the settlement. Our concern is that it wasn't a regular car accident but perhaps a stone-throwing incident that scared her. She was a careful driver; even her students were amazed at how she could have died like this, especially because of her caution. It's true accidents can always happen, so we request an investigation to find the truth. This is a small settlement with 100 families. It shouldn't be complicated to investigate and check it."

The accident scene (Photo: Judea and Samaria Fire and Rescue Communications)

The accident happened about a week and a half ago. Avner, Hadas's brother, eulogized her: "You, our little sister, with shining eyes. With your infectious laughter. The ways of Hashem are hidden. An enormous void has opened in our lives. You had so much integrity, with fear of Heaven, modesty, charm, and kindness. We will make sure to continue your path. Hashem is good and upright, the good is hidden from our eyes. Hadas, we draw strength from your joy and kindness."

Her father Yaakov, who is in a year of mourning for his mother, eulogized his youngest daughter: "Hadas was born in the happiest month, Adar. She was born to be happy and to make others happy. And for that, we thank the Creator of the world. Since the bitter news, we ask 'why why why', I don't know if we'll ever know why. 'Hashem gave and Hashem took, may the name of Hashem be blessed.'"

Hadas's husband, Yonadav Tapuchi, said in his eulogy, "You were full of joy for life. You saw only the good in me with your big heart. Even in moments of crisis, I knew that you would rise stronger from everything. You were the lively spirit of the house."

"We Want to Know What Happened to Hadas"

Her brother Yuval says this week: "During the shiva, people came into her house to help and comfort. Everyone, one after the other, said that Hadas was a really good friend to her. We wondered how it was possible to be such a good friend to so many people? That was Hadas. She would pay attention to everyone, bring a cake, send a message, or bring a note. She was very caring, she kept track of the other people's schedules in the settlement - who was going where, who needed help. She cared for others, she was a people person."

Hadas played the violin since second grade. In adulthood, she taught music. "She may have been my younger sister, but she did great things. Hundreds of students participated in her project. On the one hand, she did everything with gentleness and modesty; on the other hand, she accomplished so many great things. Even we adults don't know the full meaning of her departure, her children realize their mother is no longer here, but each at their own pace and level. At the same time, the children have a joy for life that is unbeatable. The older ones are aware that their mother is gone, naturally, the younger ones are less so. They don't ask where mom is, they know. They weren't removed from the house during the shiva. Their father strictly keeps to the order Hadas established at home; they go to sleep at the regular time, with all the habits Hadas instilled, clear habits of what is allowed and what isn't."

How does the family cope? 

"Everyone takes the death differently. My father is in a year of mourning for his mother, and it's especially hard. She was his youngest daughter. I was the one to break the news to my parents. I entered this story straight into a role. I received the police notification to inform my parents and the immediate family. I was busy with the task. Announcing such news is not easy. But I did it with sensitivity. Hadas was injured in a very severe place, resuscitation efforts started in the vehicle. She was trapped in the vehicle. A helicopter was summoned to evacuate her, but she received a very severe blow, and it was too late."

"At the funeral, all the siblings and parents said goodbye to her. It brings many things into perspective; there are things we're occupied with that aren't really important. We need to hurry in life because you can't know when it will end. What's important to do – just do. We believe that Hashem knows what he does. We hold that in one hand, and in the other hand, it doesn't cancel the pain."

Yuval currently lives in the settlement of Yad Binyamin, previously he lived in Gush Katif. About two months ago, two severe attacks occurred near where Hadas lived - at the Ofra Junction and Givat Asaf, where two soldiers were killed. "These are very harsh incidents," says Yuval, "everyone draws the meaning of what could have happened to him. Nevertheless, there is a conduct of ordinary and routine life. People need to travel, so they do, including women. Despite the fear, life is stronger than everything."

As mentioned, her family decided to fight in demand to know the findings of the investigation. Yuval emphasizes: "We want to know what happened to Hadas. We request that the police allocate all the resources and efforts to check the matter. It's crucial. If someone is throwing stones, it should be ensured that it doesn't continue, and there will be no more victims. There are people living here who already suffer from disabilities due to stone throwing. Additionally, it's important for us, the family, father, and children to know what happened. It's dramatic in the legacy of the mother. There is much to take from her in any case, but it's a completely different story if she was murdered sanctifying Hashem's name or died in a car accident. It's very important to us."

The Israel Police stated: "Contrary to claims and publications attempting to create a reality that does not match the current investigation findings, upon the arrival of police forces and traffic investigators at the scene of the accident, no evidence was found indicating stone-throwing at the vehicle. Additionally, no prior report was received by the Israel Police on stone throwing on the traffic route where the accident occurred. The investigation is ongoing, and naturally, we will not detail ongoing investigations. Nonetheless, as part of the accident investigation and its circumstances by traffic investigators, all directions are being checked, including the suspicion that stones were thrown at the vehicle, all with the aim of reaching the truth."