The tragic death of 26-year-old Jonah Karousis has deeply saddened many after he was killed in a terrorist attack by two gunmen in the Jaffa neighborhood of Tel Aviv. His funeral will be held on Saturday, October 5, at the Greek Orthodox cemetery at Prophet David’s Gate (Zion Gate) in the Old City of Jerusalem.

Simultaneously, a memorial service will take place in Thessaloniki, as his girlfriend, Margarita, shared in an emotional post on social media.

Who Was Jonah Karousis

Jonah Karousis held dual Greek and Israeli citizenship. Born on September 11, 1998, in Tel Aviv, he grew up in Jerusalem, maintaining strong connections with Greece, especially Thessaloniki, his family’s hometown.

He was the son of two accomplished scientists. His father, Dimitris Karousis, is a professor of neurology and a specialist in multiple sclerosis at Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem. His mother, Rania, is also a medical professional. Dimitris Karousis moved to Israel in 1988 to pursue his academic and research career and became a professor at the Hebrew University in 2003. He continues to collaborate with Greek institutions, including Aristotle University.

Jonah inherited a passion for both science and the arts. For 12 years, he studied piano at the Jerusalem Music Academy while excelling in biology, English, and art. In 2020, Jonah began studying architecture at Tel Aviv University, where he was known for his creativity and design skills. Alongside his academic pursuits, Jonah had completed military service in the Israeli army and was an active athlete, enjoying basketball and other sports.

Strong Ties to Greece

Despite his life in Israel, Jonah never lost touch with Greece. He often visited to see family and friends, and family vacations in Greece were a cherished tradition. Last April, he spent time in Athens, reconnecting with loved ones. His uncle in Thessaloniki remembers him as a kind, caring young man, always respectful of his family and committed to his studies. “He was the most kind-hearted boy I have ever met,” his uncle recalled.

A Promising Future Cut Short

Jonah’s academic achievements were impressive. He was working on architectural projects and, on the day of the attack, was taking photos for a university assignment at the trolley station in Jaffa. According to his family, he was tragically in the “wrong place at the wrong time.” His parents hoped for a mistake until they had to identify his body at the hospital.

Jonah’s father, Dimitris, expressed the heartbreak of losing his son to senseless violence, saying, “This madness is killing innocent people, people in the prime of life.”

Jonah’s girlfriend, Margarita, shared her grief on social media, writing, “You can’t be gone. My heart, my sweetheart, my only one. I will love you forever.”

A Community in Mourning

Jonah leaves behind a grieving family, heartbroken friends, and a community mourning the loss of a promising young man. His funeral will take place in Israel, and the Greek community is offering its support to his family during this difficult time.