Avner, Oded

Son of Yardena and Uri, was born on December 15, 1961. In the early years of Oded’s childhood, he moved to Kiryat Hayovel, where he also began his studies at the Gershon Agron Elementary School. In another neighborhood of Givat Hamivtar, Oded was one of the first children to grow up in this neighborhood, and as a child he participated in all the acts, disappointments, and joys that accompanied the establishment of the neighborhood. – Renee Kasan – he saw his future as a high-tech agriculture, so he planned to study at the Faculty of Agriculture after completing his army service. The roots of his love for agriculture lie in the house of his grandfather in Warburg, where he liked to spend his holidays. In the moshav she joined the farm and enjoyed driving a tractor and riding a horse. Miriam Oiges, who was Oded’s teacher in the 11th grade, writes: “Oded was a mature, serious, responsible, honest guy.” Oded was a good student and found time for vigorous activity in the Mahanei Ha’olim movement. He learned from internal discipline and recognition … “After finishing 11th grade, he decided to take his matriculation exams on his own.” When he told me about it, “says his teacher,” I was shocked at first and tried to exert all my influence on him … But soon I realized that before me a mature man whose decision is determined, who knows exactly what he wants and does this step with complete awareness and confidence, out of a strong desire to prove to himself that he can DD alone with their studies. “Another goal was encouraged. He wanted very much to stay ahead of the half-year army service and improve by having the chance to fit into one of the elite units of the IDF. After four months of intensive work, Oded completed his preparations for the matriculation examinations (external) and successfully completed all of them. On 6 February 1980, Oded was drafted into the army and assigned to a selected unit of the Paratroopers Brigade. He got what he wanted. During the first year of his service, Oded suffered fractures on both legs and was ordered to rest, but there was no doubt in his Lev that he must return as soon as possible to continue training in the unit. After he recovered and returned to full activity, he contracted severe hepatitis, which cut him off from the unit’s staff for two months. He seemed unable to continue his service with the unit, but Oded did not give up. Determination of decision and tremendous physical and mental effort allowed him to overcome backwardness and reassure his place on the team. During this period, the unit began to learn about Oded’s character: “He was able to listen, and this is a wonderful quality that few of us have, and he was also able to express his opinion briefly and at the right time. His”. Throughout the difficult training period, Oded maintained close contact with the house. He shared his experiences with the parents in conversations or letters he wrote from the training grounds. Always Simcha to come home and spend time with the family. On the night of the 24th of Shvat 5742 (February 16, 1982), early in the evening, Oded was severely wounded during training. For four whole hours, he and his stunned comrades struggled for his life. Close to midnight he died from his wounds and was brought to rest in the military cemetery on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem. He left behind his parents, brother and sister. Next to his home on Givat Hamivtar, Mitzpe Oded was established – a reunion and gathering site that also serves as a natural landscape observatory. His family and friends published a pamphlet in his memory.