Son of Chaya and Shmuel, was born in Tel Aviv on the 13th of Kislev 5732 (December 1, 1971). The eldest brother of Sivan, Maayan and Mor. Grandson of Bat Sheva and Shlomo Berzon and of Berria and Avraham Agbar. Already as a toddler, Rotem was discovered as a curious and inquisitive child, examining and researching everything that came his way. A music lover from childhood, and at the age of three he had a modest set and a collection of records, which he did not hesitate to hear again and again. Rotem began his studies at the age of five and a half, at Moshe Hess Elementary School in Tel Aviv. Here comes the curiosity that characterized him from childhood. Rotem has always stood out in general knowledge in a variety of fields. From an early age, he was interested in everything that was going on around him, and especially attracted to the political and social spheres. He read newspapers a lot, and at an early age he adopted clear and consistent opinions, which eventually crystallized into his political and social worldview, which he had championed all his life. At the age of twelve and a half, the family moved to Gan Yavneh. Rotem began to study in the junior high school and in the regional high school in Gedera, where he completed his biological studies. An avid naturalist who loved flowers and animals, and who always filled the family home, and they were an important factor in his growth and personal development. At the end of February 1990, Rotem joined the IDF and was assigned to the Armored Corps, where he was trained as a tank crew member during his military service, during which he underwent a difficult period during the Intifada in the Gaza Strip. Two years of service was sent to a course for intelligence officers. It was a time of prosperity for him, he found a great interest in this field, the subject fascinated him and he loved his role very much. After his discharge, he was assigned to reserve duty in the regular brigade, in a profession he loved so well. After completing his army service, Rotem chose to study at the Department of International Relations and East Asia at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. His subject of specialization was China – its language, culture, and history. For him, the studies were an enriching and exciting experience. The lecturer in the Department of Asian Studies wrote about Rotem: “Above all, I loved his good heart, a man with a golden heart and an excellent student, and I always trusted him and I knew that Rotem was continuing his path, because he was studying and working on Chinese and combining it with human love. Activity among Chinese workers in Israel. ” Rotem acquired reading, writing and speaking skills in the Chinese language. After completing his studies, he went to China for a year, to study Chinese Language and Culture at the University of Beijing. This year was a record year in his life. He studied with students from all over the world, with their common language being Chinese. Throughout the year, Rotem traveled throughout China and Mongolia. In December 1997 Rotem returned to Israel. He was looking for work in his field of expertise and began working in Ashkelon as an interpreter at the Amit company, which brings foreign workers to Israel, mainly from Thailand and China. As part of his job, Rotem traveled throughout the country and visited the many moshavim where Chinese workers were employed in agriculture. He served as an interpreter and mediator between them and their employers, and between them and Amit. Rotem built his role with the devotion and thoroughness that characterize him. At first the workers’ suspicions arose, at the sight of an Israeli speaking their language, but slowly Rotem managed to gain their trust. He added additional content to the job, and gradually became an address for Chinese workers’ inquiries on every problem – from elementary equipment, such as simple tools and blankets, to ensuring adequate wages and housing and accompanying hospitals and courts if necessary. At the beginning of February 1999 Rotem was called up for reserve duty. On February 15, 1999, during a night exercise in Mitzpeh Ramon, a training accident occurred.The traffic artery turned upside down. Rotem was killed, and four soldiers were lightly wounded. He was twenty-seven years old when he fell. He was laid to rest in the military section of the Gan Yavne cemetery. Survived by his parents and three sisters. After his death he was promoted to the rank of sergeant. His mother published a book of poems she wrote after his death, “A bouquet of lights for my son.” From the inside, the song “In my body”: On a marble slab that was carved / engraved in your name, your birth and your death / The narrow place My son contains you / That you were, I am with you and you are with me – my dear son. The family established a website in his memory. URL: www.geocities.com/egbarsite. On the 30th day of his death, his sister Rotem eulogized him: “My brother, I just wanted to write something, I’m not a poet or a writer, I’m just a nurse who refuses to believe. I remembered this week when we were in China, when we were ‘stealing’ conversations in the middle of the week, without anyone knowing, you would believe what we talked about? My brother, I was left alone with all the dreams, and there is no one to tell me what to do with them. ” The family established a scholarship fund for students at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at the Hebrew University, where Rotem studied. On January 13, 2000, the University held a scholarship ceremony in honor of Rotem Agbar, marking the first anniversary of his death. The ceremony was led by Prof. Ben-Ami Shiloni, head of the East Asian Department, and included students, friends, military personnel and members of the bereaved family. Four scholarships were awarded to Rotem – two were given by the university, two were outstanding young lecturers, and two were given by the family to two outstanding students from the faculty. Each year, the ceremony was held in memory of Rotem, in cooperation with the Department of East Asian Studies at the Hebrew University. The family grants three scholarships and the department also grants scholarships on its behalf at the same ceremony. From his mother’s words: “We are standing here, facing nature, taking shape with the beginning of spring, and you are somewhere, even where the best cartographers of all ages have not succeeded in mapping any map in the world. I know that you remember, and if you ask, Mom, how do you remember everything so precisely, I tell you that the memories are etched deep, deep on my heart, and my writing feather is immersed in an expanse of longing and love. “
