It is with a heavy heart that we learned on May 4 that our beloved student Yaniv Dotan, Yaniv ben Aryeh V’Rut, Zecher Tzaddik L’vracha, passed away last night. Yaniv was an extraordinary human being, a beloved member of our family whose golden heart, warm blue eyes, effervescent smile, wisdom, courage, directness, sensitivity, absolute, resolute faith in G-d uplifted each of us, and all who knew him.

We all have such precious memories of his righteousness, his warm friendship, his insightful contributions in class, his Torah reading, and his harmonious harmonica from the heavenly world that touched our souls. Yaniv was a true ‘Servant’ of the Lord!

Yaniv kept his illness to himself these past months, and finally succumbed to a severe blood disease that he endured while carrying on with his work. His radiant and blessed soul will continue to shine upon us, and he will always be a blessing each moment we recall his presence.

Shetihi Nishmato Tanuach B’tzror Hachayim.  May Yaniv’s soul rest in the highest heavenly realm and be surrounded by Hashem whom Yaniv loved and honored so deeply.

Below we share a video of Yaniv at the 2019 Retreat playing his harmonica in a duet with Cantorial Student Liz Baseman.

If you would like to made a donation in memory of Yaniv, please do so to either Ahavat Torah, by check, at P.O. Box 18371, Encino, CA 91416, or to AJRCA.

We encourage everyone from our community to share their recollections of Yaniv and their condolences for his family in the comment area below.