Arbel, Oded

He was born on January 25, 1958, in Tel Aviv. He attended elementary school in Zahala, continued his studies at the elementary school near the French embassy in Ankara and graduated from the Alliance High School in Tel Aviv. When Oded was two years old, his family left for East Africa, when his father was appointed to serve there in the civil service. The Israeli colony in the same place maintained a kindergarten and the first elementary grades with the approval of the Israeli Ministry of Education, so that its early Hebrew education was not harmed by the temporary uprooting of the family from the country. Shortly after the Six-Day War, the family traveled abroad again to Turkey. Despite the language difficulties, Oded managed to quickly integrate into his studies and finish school there as one of the best students. He also studied Hebrew, Bible, and Jewish history in order to be ready to continue his studies in Israel, where he continued to study in the Alliance High School in Tel Aviv. As part of his high school studies, Oded moved to Gadna and joined the Tel Aviv Scouts, a framework he worked on for four years, first as an apprentice and in the past two years as a mentor. He loved the sea and sailing, and most of his spare time. During the summer vacation in 1975, he participated in an advanced international sailing course in West Germany, as a member of the Israel Scouts delegation. Among the many books Oded read are books and periodicals in the field of sailing. He was also interested in other fields and read books in Hebrew, French and English. As a small child, he encouraged his parents and sister on their many trips to East Africa, where his love for nature and the animal world in particular germinated. Even in adulthood he was sensitive to beauty in all its forms, especially in nature. He loved animals and raised them in his parents’ home. Oded was gentle-minded, modest, friendly, full of kindness and a willingness to help others and loved everyone he knew from up close. Oded was drafted into the IDF in July 1976. After his basic training he was sent to the Naval Training Course and fulfilled the physical and academic requirements. He is always striving to help others and achieve perfection in all his actions. ” On the 19th of Sivan 5737 (9.6.1977), Oded fell while serving. He was laid to rest in the military cemetery in Kiryat Shaul. Survived by his parents and sister.