Ashkenazi, Avraham (‘Avi’)

Son of David and Rachel. He was born on July 17, 1956, in Jerusalem, where he studied in the “H” elementary school. In his hometown, Szold continued his studies at the ORT school in Jerusalem in the electronics field. My father was a good student, quiet and disciplined. His friend Yoel relates: “He was a realistic person who knew himself, his advantages and limitations, he did not excel in his studies, and he knew that he had to work hard to succeed.” Thanks to the many efforts he invested in his studies, he passed the matriculation exams. His friend, Natan, says: “My father was always involved in every social event of the class, he was a man who meant what he said and did not say things in order to fulfill his duty.” When he decided to do something, he acted without restraint. My father was a sports enthusiast, and as his friend Yossi says: “He loved volleyball very much and although he was short, he did not give up, always came to practice and worked seriously.” My father was also a target for the IDF, and he won second place in two shooting competitions – another hobby was chess – Avi was loved by his classmates, and as they say: “He was modest and did not try to stand out. He loved to spend time and was able to appreciate every moment of life. “During the Yom Kippur War, Avi was an exemplary citizen, volunteering for many activities, including helping his neighbors, a devoted and loyal son of his parents and close ties with his brother and sister, In October 1974 and volunteered for the air force. After basic training and after completing his training course, he was sent to a pilot course. Even in his military service, Avi showed strong will and determination. He successfully progressed through the various stages of the course and was nominated for an outstanding student. After five flights he was offered a stay in the Navigator course. “He loved the spaces and landscapes that were revealed to him during the flight, and we knew that if he successfully completed the course, he would be an outstanding trainee,” says his classmate Yaki. My father maintained close ties with his family and spent many holidays in the family, telling his experiences and encouraging his parents. On the 28th of Adar I 5726 (February 29, 1976) Avi fell in the line of duty. He was laid to rest at the military cemetery on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem. Survived by his parents, brother and sister. After his death he was promoted to sergeant. In a letter of condolence to the bereaved family, his commander wrote: “I knew Avi as a quiet and devoted soldier and an excellent navigator. His family established a library in his memory at the ORT school near the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and purchased a traveling trophy in his name for a basketball competition held every year, near Passover, among the basketball teams of the ORT school chain.