Salem Jamil Kapah
Salem, Ben Ziona and Avraham Kefah, was born in 1934 in Gefela, Yemen, and immigrated to Israel in 1949. Although he was unable to study regularly, he managed to expand his education on his own. He was loyal and devoted to his parents, took care of his family and did his best to work and support them, even during his service in the IDF, and despite the difficulties caused to him as a result. Upon his aliyah he worked as a laborer in undeclared work for three years. He then tried to be hired as a prison warden but was unable to do so. He also prepared to pass driving tests and obtain a driver’s license, but was not provided with it. Salem was active for the NRP and devoted all his free time to it, especially during election campaigns.
Salem was drafted into the IDF in mid-March 1953 and was assigned to the Artillery Corps. He was in charge of training in his unit. He tried not to worry about his family and not to tell much about his difficulties. During the holidays he used to help at home as much as needed.
After his release from regular service, he was assigned to the reserve forces and, as part of the reserve, participated in all of Israel’s wars – from the Sinai War to the Yom Kippur War in the containment battles against the Egyptians in Sinai. On Tuesday, October 16, 1973, he fought with his unit on the main axis in front of the Suez Canal and in a shelling that the Egyptians landed was wounded and killed. He was laid to rest in the military cemetery on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem. His fall was promoted to the rank of corporal.
In a letter of condolence to the bereaved family, his commander wrote: “During the fighting, Salem’s crew was attacked from the air and many of his friends were wounded, but he continued to fulfill his role quietly and devotedly – until he fell.”
