Barry Levitt, an 80-year-old South African-born oleh, died when a concrete balcony collapsed onto the Angel Bakery café on Keren Kayemet LeIsrael Street in Rehavia, Jerusalem. According to Magen David Adom emergency responders, the structure gave way without warning, trapping Levitt beneath the rubble while he sat with his wife, Janet, and their two grandchildren just days after celebrating their 56th wedding anniversary.
Jerusalem Balcony Collapse Shocks Rehavia Neighborhood
The structural failure occurred at the Angel Bakery on Keren Kayemet LeIsrael Street in the established Jerusalem neighborhood of Rehavia. According to Israeli media reports, concerns had been raised about the building’s condition prior to the incident, prompting authorities to launch an investigation into the cause of the balcony failure. Shlomo Margaliot, a senior Magen David Adom emergency medical technician, described hearing a loud noise from a nearby street and rushing to find extensive destruction and terrified people.
“With the help of passersby who were present at the scene, we rescued three injured people,” Margaliot told reporters. Emergency personnel found Levitt trapped beneath a large slab of concrete. According to reports, the heavy structure fell largely intact before breaking apart on impact, complicating rescue efforts. Levitt suffered severe multi-system trauma and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Did you know?
Magen David Adom (MDA) is Israel’s national emergency pre-hospital medical and blood services organization, handling disaster response and emergency medical dispatch across the country.
Hospitalizations and Community Impact in Israel and South Africa
Three other individuals sustained minor injuries in the collapse and were transported to local medical facilities for treatment. According to emergency medical services, the casualties included two 16-year-olds—a boy and a girl—who were taken to Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital and Shaare Zedek Medical Center alongside Janet Levitt.
The tragedy resonated deeply across communities in Israel and South Africa. Barry and Janet Levitt had arrived in Israel six years prior, building a vibrant life centered around family, neighborhood involvement, and Torah study. Roy Scher, chairperson of the Telfed Jerusalem Regional Committee, noted that Levitt quickly embraced local life, regularly attending synagogue and study sessions with Jerusalem rabbis.
“Barry was the man of the smile, the man of optimism,” Scher told the SA Jewish Report. “Everybody who spoke to him or met him immediately got attached to this gentleman because that’s what he was, a gentleman, a good person.”
Business Legacy and Memorial Services
Before making Aliyah, Barry Levitt established an entrepreneurial footprint in South Africa. Alongside his son, Neil, he built Chilla Beverage Co. into a successful family enterprise supplying gourmet beverage products to customers across Africa, the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, Mauritius, and the Middle East.
The community turnout for Levitt’s funeral reflected his deep integration into Jerusalem life over six years. According to Scher, mourners filled the street outside the Angel Bakery café where the tragedy occurred, including rabbis whose classes Levitt had regularly attended.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did the Jerusalem balcony collapse take place?
The collapse occurred at the Angel Bakery located on Keren Kayemet LeIsrael Street in the Rehavia neighborhood of Jerusalem.
Who was Barry Levitt?
Barry Levitt was an 80-year-old South African-born oleh and co-founder of Chilla Beverage Co. who moved to Israel with his wife, Janet, six years prior to the incident.
What are authorities doing regarding the building safety?
Israeli authorities have launched an investigation into the structural failure following reports that concerns had been raised about the building’s condition prior to the collapse.
How many people were injured in the incident?
Three people sustained minor injuries, including Janet Levitt and two 16-year-olds, and were treated at Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital and Shaare Zedek Medical Center.
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