(SDJW Staff Report) Ofir Libstein, the mayor of San Diego’s longtime partner region of Sha’ar HaNegev, was among more than 700 Israelis murdered in the Hamas surprise attack during Simchat Torah. He was killed while defending his kibbutz.
“We were beyond devastated to learn of the death of Mayor Ofir Libstein, who was killed in a firefight this morning,” wrote Heidi Gantwerk, President and CEO, and David Bark, Board Chair, of Jewish Federation of San Diego in an email on Sunday. “Ofir was an outstanding friend to San Diego. He visited us many times, becoming a member of our Federation family. He recently hosted more than 200 of us on our CommUNITY Trip to Israel and made every single person there feel special and welcome. He cared deeply about the relationship between San Diego and Sha’ar HaNegev, and he had countless ideas for strengthening the region and deepening our partnership.”
Gantwerk also posted on Facebook, “From the first time I met him to our time together on our recent Community Trip, Ofir was an extraordinary partner and friend with a huge heart and boundlesss energy. And always working for peace. My heart is with Sha’ar HaNegev and Israel today.”
The Federation’s San Diego-Sha’ar HaNegev relationship “fosters a mutually beneficial partnership committed to supporting the strategic priorities and to deepening Jewish peoplehood in both communities,” according to the Federation.