Two Years On From Fatal Terror Attack, British-Born Rabbi Leo Dee Announces Engagement

Jerusalem, 22 June, 2025 (TPS-IL) -- The British-Israeli rabbi whose wife and two daughters were murdered in a terror attack in Israel two years ago has shared the happy news of his engagement.

Rabbi Leo Dee, originally from London, lost his wife Lucy, 48, and daughters Maia, 20, and Rina, 15, after they were shot by terrorists while they drove through Israel’s Judea and Samaria.

The family were travelling in separate cars, with Rabbi Dee in front and Lucy, Maia, and Rina behind. After their car was sprayed with bullets, Rina and Maia died straight away and Lucy – who’s Hebrew name was Leah – died later in hospital from her injuries.

Now, two years on, Rabbi Dee has found joy once again, announcing his engagement on social media last week.

He is marrying Aliza Teplitsky, 43, a professional from Toronto, Canada, who works for the popular website making company Wix.

Speaking exclusively to TPS-IL, Rabbi Dee said: “We are both delighted.. We met three and a half months ago, we were introduced by shadchanim [matchmakers].

“In Israel, there are a number of organisations with ambassadors [matchmakers] that look out for single guys and girls, and we met through one called Points of Contact.

“They [the matchmakers] put us together, although really, G-d put us together. We’re unusual people, but similar to each other.”

He described their similarity as stemming mostly from them both having a “positive outlook”.

Aliza, 43, has lived in Jerusalem for twenty years and has never been married before.

Gushing about her personality and stating that he “knew straight away”, he said: “Aliza is someone who sees the good in me, and I see the good in her.

“She is very kind hearted, good with everybody, has many friends, and has been excellent with my kids. She is a very special person.

“It is customary in Jewish dating to take references, particularly from the rabbis of the other person.

“I asked her rabbi if she’s a giving person. The reason I asked that was because in the bible, when Isaac was looking for a wife, that was his requirement, he looked for a giving person, someone who would offer water to his camels.

“The rabbi told me she is involved in every chessed [charitable] project in the shul, all the caring activities. It was the brightest reference you can get.”

Describing their first date, he said: “We went to a nice local restaurant. We both immediately realised it was a great match. So we really got to know each other well, [over the ensuing three and a half months]. She’s met my kids, I’ve met her parents and siblings.

“I knew straight away, but it’s good to get to know each other well and confirm your initial instincts.”

He says he was planning a “bit of a pathetic proposal” before his two surviving daughters, Tali, 19, and Keren, 21, took charge: “I told my kids I’m planning to propose to her and my girls said ‘let us take care of it for you’.”

“So they planned everything out, they planned a romantic proposal on a beautiful lookout near where we live, and put food out for us, and organised music. They then came and took pictures of us twenty minutes after we arrived.

“Then we all went to her parent’s home for a l’chaim [celebratory toast], with her parents and siblings.”

Aliza is one of four siblings – she has two sisters and a brother – and five nephews and nieces, all of whom Rabbi Dee described as being “very happy” with the news: “Barch Hashem [thank Gd], everyone is very happy, and all very excited.”

Paying homage to his late wife Lucy, and children Maia and Rina, he said: I think my late wife and two daughters would want us to be happy, and I feel I am taking them into the marriage with me.

“Lucy taught me to be a good husband, to make time for her, to help with the kids, to get involved in the community.

“Maia was my oldest child and taught me how to be a dad, and how to bring out the best in her and the other kids.

“Rina was my youngest daughter. She taught me how to make time for everybody, how to think about others, and the importance of family.

“All the things I’ve learned from them will give us a head start in our relationship. Life experience prepares us for our next experiences and is a mixture of good and bad memories.

“I’m choosing the good memories, as those are the things that will help build a strong home Please G-d.”

He added that he and Lucy had a conversation just a few months before her untimely death, where they both agreed that if either one of them left the other widowed, they would want the other to remarry.

Speaking of his and Aliza’s plans for the wedding, he said: “We are looking to book something now towards the end of August, or beginning of September, but because of the war, lots of weddings have been postponed, so we will see what we can do.

“In Israel, August and September is a beautiful climate, so we are hoping to have a countryside with beautiful views.”

Describing the divine providence he experienced with Aliza, he said: “I had a dream which featured prominently the colours red and white.

“At the time I was dating Hebrew-speaking Israeli women. I thought it was an indication to date English [because of the colours of the English flag], but then Aliza appeared.

“After a couple of weeks I realized that the Canadian flag is red and white too. She has a similar story that happened on the day my bio was sent to her.”

He credited “Tzipi” and “Rivka” as the matchmakers from Points of Contact that thought of the match. The couple plan on living in his home in Efrat.