Former Glastonbury Principal Killed in Jerusalem Terrorist Attack Left Legacy in Connecticut
POSTED 5:19 AM, NOVEMBER 2, 2015, BY MIKE KRAFCIK, UPDATED AT 05:30AM, NOVEMBER 2, 2015
WEST HARTFORD– Richard Lakin is being remembered for living his life “for the quest of peace and justice” less than a week after dying from injuries after being shot and stabbed by two Palestinian men while on a bus in Jerusalem.
“Richard lived his life as a healer in promoting love and pursuing justice and seeking peace,” said Lakin’s long-time friend Dr. Arnold Dashfesky, during a community gathering for Lakin at the Solomon Schechter Day School in West Hartford Sunday afternoon. Lakin once served as chairman of the school’s parent and education committee.
“In that capacity I saw in Richard the care and concern for students in the Schechter community,” said Dr. Dashfesky.
Sunday’s service included readings, music and remembrances by those who knew him. Many local Jewish community leader say Lakin dedicated his life to building peace and bridging communities.
Richard Lakin, 76, died October 27, two weeks after sustaining wounds from two Palestinian men who boarded a bus in Jerusalem and began shooting and stabbing passengers. It was one of the bloodiest attacks in recent violence in which Palestinian attackers killed 11 Israelis. In that time, 55 Palestinians have been killed, including 35 identified by Israel as attackers and the rest in clashes with security forces.
“Your life was cut too short, as you had many projects to do, many acts of kindness to pass on,” said Dr. Irwin Lakin, who expressed deep emotion while talking about his brother Richard.
Lakin died after being hospitalized for two weeks, and Irwin Lakin said one of the attackers had surgery in the same hospital, at the same time.
“This outraged my nephew Micha, and other family members who had to pass this terrorist daily, sitting up in bed unable to speak while my brother lay in a coma,” said Irwin Lakin.
Lakin was a civil rights activist in the 1960’s, and was a freedom rider that marched with Martin Luther King in the U.S. civil rights movement in the south.
Lakin was the principal of Hopewell Elementary School in Glastonbury from 1968 to 1984. He taught English in mixed classes of Muslims and Jews in Jerusalem after moving to Israel in 1984.
Lakin wrote a book, “Teaching As An Act Of Love,” and created a website “Thanks2Teachers.
Lakin was killed at the height of this month`s violent uprising in Israel, one of 12 recent “victims of terror in Israel” honored in a candle lighting ceremony during Sunday’s community gathering.
“It’s not just something happening on the news, its real people that you know, it hits so close to home that it shakes you,” said Rabbi Ricahrd Plavin of Beth Sholom B’nai Israel in Manchester.
In mid-September, tensions started to soar. Clashes erupted at the shrine between young Palestinian throwing stones and fire bombs and Israeli security forces. The violence quickly spread to the rest of Jerusalem, as well as the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Earlier Sunday afternoon, a similar remembrance ceremony was held at Kol Haverim in Glastonbury.
Lakin was originally from Newton, Massachusetts, and his Facebook page displayed an image of Israeli and Arab kids hugging under the word “coexist.” Lankin advocated coexistence between Muslims and Jews when he moved to Israel.
“That’s why it’s so horrible cruel and ironic that this beautiful soul was so brutally cut down,” said Rabbi Plavin.
Lakin leaves behind his Karen and son Micah, his daughter Manya, and granddaughter Shachar.
JFACT would like to thank everyone who attended the event and helped create a meaningful memorial.