(JTA) — Funeral services were held for two Israelis who were among five people gunned down in a shooting attack in Minneapolis.
More than 1,000 mourners turned out for a memorial service Sept. 30 for Reuven Rahamim, 61, at Beth El Synagogue, where he served on the board of directors. The same day, private services were held for Rami Cooks, 62, at Beth Shalom Congregation.
The deadly shooting three days earlier took place at Accent Signage, a company owned by Rahamim.
Rahamim was buried in Israel and Cooks was interred at a Minneapolis-area Jewish cemetery, according to Minnesota’s American Jewish World.
Rahamim, an Israel Defense Forces veteran of the 1973 Yom Kippur War, came to the United States following that campaign to visit family and decided to stay. In Minnesota he founded Accent Signage and built it into a multimillion-dollar firm manufacturing interior signs. Rahamim also held several patents, including one for making signs in Braille that is used around the world, according to the newspaper.
“He didn’t just make signs, he helped people find their way,” the newspaper reported Rabbi Alexander Davis as saying at the funeral.
Cooks was one of three employees of Accent Signage who was killed; also killed was a UPS driver. Police said the shooter, who killed himself, had been fired by the company a few hours before the attack.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
