Killing of Alisa Flatow
Alisa Flatow (October 5, 1974 – April 10, 1995) was an American Jewish student who was killed in the Islamic Jihad suicide bombing known as the Kfar Darom bus attack in 1995.
Biography
Alisa Michelle Flatow was born in West Orange, New Jersey. Her father, Stephen Flatow, is a lawyer. She attended the Frisch School in Paramus, New Jersey and Brandeis University.[1] During the 1995 spring semester she was participating in a Jewish study program at Nishmat in Israel.[2] She was on her way to the beach in Gush Katif with two friends when the bus was blown up.[3]
When Flatow succumbed to fatal head wounds at Soroka Medical Center, the family donated her organs to save the lives of others.[4] After doctors declared her brain dead, her father authorized the removal of her heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, pancreas and corneas.[5] Thousands of people attended the memorial service in Flatow’s honor at Congregation Ahavas Achim B'nai Jacob and David in West Orange, New Jersey.[6]
Lawsuit
In 1998 a Federal district judge ordered the Government of Iran to pay $247.5 million in damages to Flatow’s family.[7]
Evidence produced by her father, Stephen Flatow, led to an investigation that resulted in a $8.9 billion fine being levied against BNP Paribas bank in June 2014 for processing Iranian financial transactions.[8]
Family
In 2008 Alisa’s brother, Etan, enlisted in the Israel Defense Forces.[9]
Commemoration
The Alisa M. Flatow Yeshiva High School was named in her honor.[10] The Alisa Flatow Memorial Scholarship provides funds for students who wish to pursue traditional Jewish studies.[11] Nishmat named its program of studies for overseas students in her honor, the Alisa Flatow International Program.[12]
References
- ^ Siemaszko, Corky. "EERIE LINKS BETWEEN 2 N.J. WOMEN", New York Daily News, February 26, 1996. Accessed August 19, 2008. "The New Jersey women killed yesterday in a bus bombing in Jerusalem followed in the tragic footsteps of a former classmate Alisa Flatow. Sara Duker was one year ahead of Flatow at the Frisch Yeshiva High School in Paramus, N.J."
- ^ Cases and Materials on Civil Terrorism Law, David J. Strachman, James P. Steck
- ^ A terror victim's legacy: This is how we go on
- ^ Robert Hanley. "Father Says U.S. Victim Loved Israel", The New York Times (April 11, 1995).
- ^ 'Born Again' as victim's heart beats in his chest
- ^ David Stout. "American Slain in Gaza Is Mourned", The New York Times (April 13, 1995)
- ^ James Dao. "Judgment for Terrorism Is $248 Million", The New York Times (March 12, 1998).
- ^ JESSICA SILVER-GREENBERG and BEN PROTESS. [1], The New York Times (June 30, 2014).
- ^ Gil Hoffman. "Terror victim’s brother dons an Israeli uniform", New Jersey Jewish News (June 19, 2008).
- ^ Lois Goldrich. "Bat Torah headed for Paramus", New Jersey Jewish Standard (May 2, 2008). Retrieved on 2008-08-07.
- ^ Alisa Flatow Memorial Fund home page. Retrieved on 2008-08-07.
- ^ Alisa Flatow International Program