In a tragic incident that shook the Ottawa family of a Canadian-Israeli citizen, Adi Vital-Kaploun tragically lost her life at the hands of ruthless Hamas militants in Israel. The valiant woman is hailed to have saved the lives of her father, husband, and two children during her final moments.
Living in Kibbutz Holit, a community huddled next to the Gaza border, Vital-Kaploun found herself ensnared in a fatal attack ensuing last weekend. As militants swarmed her compound and unleashed terror, she fought resolutely to ensure her children’s safety, becoming an unfortunate casualty in her bid to shield them.
The atrocity unfolded ruthlessly with Vital-Kaploun being murdered before her own children. The extremists manipulated her innocent children as pawns in a twisted game, utilizing them to snare other members of the community into their fatal trap.
Despite the ordeal unfolding rapidly, Vital-Kaploun remained unbelievably resilient, reaching out to her husband and father who were ensconced in different safe havens. Urging them to stay put and out of harm’s way, she inadvertently preserved their lives.
In an admirable act of self-sacrifice, she managed to convince her assailants to remove her children from the scene of violence. Although losing her life to the act of terror, her courage ensured her children were spared. The militants took her children to Gaza before releasing them back to their father.
Now, as a colossal vacuum fills the family’s heart due to the loss, the long road to recovery begins. Struggling to navigate the pain of losing their mother, her children will depend on the strength of the family to keep her memory and warmth alive.
The Jewish Federation of Ottawa acknowledged the heartbreaking ordeal, encapsulating the pain felt by the family. Vital-Kaploun was more than just a statistic; she was a lover, a devoted mother, a gifted scholar, and an invaluable connection that tied them all together.
Vital-Kaploun, with impressive qualifications in chemical engineering and cybersecurity under her belt, held dual citizenship and maintained deep-rooted connections with Ottawa. Two other Canadian contemporaries, Ben Mizrachi and Alexandre Look, have also lost their lives in this unwarranted violence.
Family members remember her as a radiant presence, whose warmth and positivity enriched the lives of all she came into contact with.
Throughout her life, Vital-Kaploun maintained a strong bond with her Canadian roots. Despite her family’s relocation to Israel, the summers of her childhood were often spent reconnecting geographically and emotionally with her extended family massed in Ottawa.
Irving Rivers, a notable shop owner in ByWard Market, is identified as Vital-Kaploun’s father. Her eventual burial will take place in Israel, her home and now her final resting place.
The global community has been vocal in their support for the family, offering solace and pledging a commitment to defend the Jewish communities. However, as the family themselves acknowledge, confronting terrorism is an uphill battle, brutally waged against innocent lives.
