Avshalom Machpood

Son of Sa’ada and Shmuel. He was born on February 8, 1952 in the Galilee to parents from Yemen. The third son of a large family. As a toddler of several months, the family moved to Petah Tikva. Avshalom studied and was educated at the “Independent Education” elementary school in Petach Tikvah, at the Tiferet Tzion Yeshiva in Bnei Brak and at the Or-Israel Yeshiva in Petah Tikva. At the beginning of February 1970, Avshalom was drafted into the IDF, and was assigned to the infantry brigade of the Golani Brigade, where Avshalom completed his long and difficult basic training course and was sent to serve as a fighter in the battalion. And was assigned to serve as a combat driver at the Golani Brigade’s recruits base. He was an excellent driver, responsible, devoted to his job and ready to fulfill any task. In 1973 Avshalom was released from regular service. In 1975 he founded his family. He married Israla and they expanded their family with the birth of the boys – Shahar and Eyal. Avshalom was an exemplary family man. Be devoted to his wife and be careful in educating the children. He loved to travel in Israel and gave his children the love of nature, flora and the Land of Israel. According to his brother, Avshalom was the central figure in the family. “The jewel in the crown,” his sister wrote. He used to support the elderly and the poor. Always modest and answered. He is accepted and loved at his place of work, in the diamond polishing plant. In August 1990, Avshalom was called to active reserve duty and went with his unit to the Golan Heights. He loved his periods of service in reserve. Absalom served in a combat unit and despite his advanced age refused to move to a rear unit. Avshalom was raised from the rank of sergeant to the rank of sergeant on September 9, 1990, when Avshalom fell in his role in the Golan Heights, and was summoned to rescue a Druze herdsman who had entered a minefield. Where he went on a mine, and Avshalom was killed and laid to rest at the military cemetery in Petach Tikvah, leaving Raya – Israela, two sons – Shahar and Eyal, parents and four brothers – Yehuda, Avraham, Moti, , Yaffa, Havatzelet, Mary and Yochi, Avshalom’s commander said goodbye: “You served in the reserve unit for seventeen years as a regular fighter and driver. You participated in Israel’s wars: Yom Kippur, the War of Attrition, and Operation Peace for the Galilee. Always his, calm, with a willingness to help everyone. You knew that we were protecting our parents, our wives and our children, and we were liable to pay a bloody price. You never complained, you did not raise your voice, you did not refuse to do anything. Soldiers like you are the backbone of the unit. Your way and your behavior will serve as an example for the battalion’s soldiers and commanders. “The family members commemorated his name in a Torah scroll his father wrote in his memory and in the library his widow donated to the synagogue.