Dec 24, 2009 - Rabbi Meir Avshalom Chai, 45, of Shavei Shomron was killed in a drive-by shooting near his home.
Rabbi Meir Avshalom Chai, a Torah teacher and father of seven, was killed in a shooting attack near the West Bank settlement of Shavei Shomron, west of Nablus, where he lived. He left the community of Einav at 4:30 PM Thursday after a Torah lesson and drove toward his home in Shavei Shomron. Terrorists in a car that overtook him opened heavy fire at him. Ten bullets hit Meir in the head. He was mortally wounded and died a few minutes later. The Fatah al-Aqsa Brigades claimed responsibility for the attack. Three terrorists responsible for the shooting were killed by IDF forces while attempting to arrest them in Nablus.
Son-in-law of former Emanuel mayor Eliyahu Merav and a well-known member of the Bratslav Hassidic community, Rabbi Hai was a well-loved educational figure in Shavei Shomron who taught young children Torah. Originally from Bet Shemesh, he had lived in Shavei Shomron for 14 years. At his father's funeral, Eliyahu, said: "I want to say to the youth - continue in my father's path. Father wanted faith, he wanted Torah study, he wanted prayers. If you want to memorialize my father these are the things you should do."
Rabbi Meir Avshalom Chai was laid to rest on Jerusalem's Mount of Olives. He is survived by his wife and seven children ranging in age from four months to the eldest, Eliyahu, 16 years old.