Friends, colleagues and local officials on Monday mourned Haim Kalomiti, a chef, restaurateur and reservist soldier who was killed while trying to help others during Sunday's shooting attack in central Israel.
Kalomiti, 55, a resident of Tzur Natan, was critically wounded during the attack and later died of his injuries. He is survived by his wife, Hamutal, and their three daughters, Avigail, Naomi and Amalia. His funeral was scheduled to take place Monday evening in Tzur Natan.
According to the South Sharon Regional Council, Kalomiti was killed “while going out to save lives.”
Defense Minister Israel Katz said Kalomiti “set out to defend the citizens of Israel, courageously engaged the despicable terrorist who carried out the murderous attack, and fell while fulfilling his mission to protect the country and its residents.”
Kalomiti was a veteran of Israel's culinary scene in the Sharon region north of Tel Aviv. Though he largely stayed out of the spotlight, he owned and co-owned several well-known restaurants, including Fiore Pasta, which he founded, the Che catering company and Gooch Gooch, a burger joint that opened only weeks ago at a gas station between Even Yehuda and Beit Yitzhak. His partners in the new venture are also owners of the nearby Gooch & Daniel restaurant in Bnei Zion.
“Haim was a beloved person, a friend, a partner and a man with a big heart and values who left a deep mark on everyone who knew him,” the Gooch & Daniel group said in a statement. “His tragic death has left enormous pain and a huge void among those who loved him and in our hearts.”
The company thanked the public for its support and called for unity in the face of terrorism.
Among those paying tribute was restaurateur Sagi Trigger, owner of Trigger, Fat Cow and Django restaurants, who had known Kalomiti for years after the two met during reserve military service and later became business partners in the catering industry.
“Some people — nobody can say a bad word about them. That was Haim,” Trigger said. “He was an extraordinary person, unbelievably kind, who helped everyone, whether he knew them or not. He was always the first to step forward, to fight and to help, just like yesterday.”
Trigger said Kalomiti introduced him to the meat business and helped shape his own career. “We were partners for 13 years,” he said. “He was like family to me, like an older brother. We lost a rare person. There are not many people like him.”
The shooting attack began Sunday at a gas station in Kochav Yair, where two men were wounded. The attacker then continued toward Tzur Yitzhak and Tzur Natan, opening fire at multiple locations.
Kalomiti was among two victims found on Route 5533 near Tzur Natan. He was taken to a hospital in critical condition and later pronounced dead.
Police said the attack was carried out by Omar Yassin, an Israeli citizen from the nearby Arab city of Taibe, who was killed by security forces. Five other people were wounded in the attack.