Ashkenazi, Ephraim

Son of Moshe and Pnina. He was born on March 21, 1938 in Kibbutz Merhavia, where he spent his childhood and youth. He completed his studies at the elementary school and in the educational institution of the kibbutz high school and was an outstanding student. He was a member of the “kan” of the “Hashomer Hatzair” in the institution as an apprentice, and by the age of 16 he became a counselor in the movement in the “ken” in Afula. Two years later, on the verge of completing his studies, he was instructed to teach at the “Kinn” movement in Kiryat Haim. Two or three times a week he would travel there to fulfill his duties, but he continued to excel in his studies. He loved the painting, but his many occupations left him no time to engage in this hobby. Ephraim was intelligent and prudent. His friends and teachers, apprentices and acquaintances liked him very much. His teacher at the educational institution wrote: “The enlightened eyes of the child (when I met him for the first time) seemed to reflect the light from the outside, all immersed in an effort of intensive, vigorous, tireless, unceasing work. When did I open my eyes to look at him, when he deviated from everyday life, on the many walks we had made on the face of the earth, where he did not try to make himself stand out? He loved the way, the land, the landscape and even gave this love to come true. ” Efraim enlisted in the IDF in August 1956 and volunteered to serve in the air force, although during his studies he showed no inclination and did not join Gadna-Air. He was accepted to the flight school, successfully passed all stages of study and was given the wings of a pilot. In August 1958 he joined the career army. Efraim climbed through the ranks and roles, and his name preceded him as one of the best pilots in the corps. He took part in an Air Force delegation to the air salon in Paris and other places, and when the decision to purchase the Mirages was made, he was sent to France to inspect and introduce changes and improvements in the plane at the request of the IDF. “Efraim told me, with a smile that did not hide a bit of bitterness:” I did the war under the neon light, “he said. ‘- it felt like an eagle whose wings were tied – – – “Ephraim was sent to the United States to To check the Skyhawk and the Phantom planes, which were to be supplied to Israel, and after his return he was appointed deputy commander of the squadron On February 15, 1969, Major Efraim died of an illness. He was laid to rest in the cemetery on Kibbutz Merhavia. A memorial page for Ephraim is dedicated to the book of remembrance of the fallen, published by the kibbutz.