Jonathan David Deitch, known as Deitch by his friends, was born and raised in Tel Aviv.
On 7th December 2023, Jonathan fell in action while fulfilling his duty in the battle of Khan Yunis during the Iron Swords war, where he served as an advanced staff sergeant combat paratrooper (reserves) in Brigade 55, Battalion 6623.
Jonathan was 34 years old when he died. He was the father of a two-year-old son, Ari, the husband of Moran, the son of Leonard and Karen, the brother of Samantha and Kelly, and a friend to many.
Jonathan always smiled; he was extremely friendly, loved by all, and was devoted to his family. Growing up, he attended the Ironi D High School, where following his diagnosis of ADHD and dyslexia, he was in a special class for pupils with learning difficulties.
Out of school, he spent a lot of time surfing, at Sea Scouts, and engaging in other social activities. Thanks to his family, teachers, and extracurricular activities, Jonathan succeeded in overcoming the challenges on his path to academic success.
At 21, after leaving his army service, Jonathan began working for the Ministry of Defense. He then went on to study Political and Military Science and Criminology at the Bar Ilan university where he gained his BSc.
Shortly after, Jonathan joined the Moked security company. He was soon promoted to Regional Manager, responsible for over two hundred security guards nationwide.
For Jonathan the sky was really the limit. Looking for a new challenge outside his comfort zone, at 30 Jonathan joined the A.L. Ariel medical devices company working in Sales and Application Support. Very soon he became a permanent fixture in many operating theatres where he trained doctors on the latest medical devices and technologies in surgical prothesis.
In his honor, we the family and friends of the late Jonathan Deitch together with the Ironi D High School, are establishing the In Jonathan’s Footsteps support program for high-school matriculation pupils with learning disabilities.
Jonathan’s story is proof that that as long as at least one person believes in them, everyone can fulfil their potential and that the sky really is the limit.
Jonathan’s Footsteps aims to strengthen the self-confidence of these pupils by enforcing their belief that they too can reach excellence both during their studies and later on. The program also strives to sustain their ability to continue to dream big – as Jonathan always did.
