Jacob, son of Henia and Moshe, was born on August 7, 1952, in Kibbutz Ashdot Yaakov, was the youngest son to his parents. He went through all the stages of a child growing on the kibbut He completed his elementary studies at his kibbutz – Ashdot Yaakov (Ichud), and later moved to high school in Beit Yareach. Focusing on the banana plantations, he completed a final paper dealing with practical research on the subject of “feeding cattle with bananas.” In addition, he completed three matriculation exams and went on a training year at a branch of the Hanoar Haoved Vehalomed youth movement in Tirat Hacarmel. Jacob was a cheerful boy. He liked dancing, girls and parties, and as his friends say, “together with Yaakov it was always happy.” At the same time, he had a deep love for music, nature, and biology. In general, any topic that interested him treated him thoroughly. “When he came for vacations from the army or from the training, he would come into the room with such a crazy smile and ask: ‘What’s doing mother?’ he asked, ‘he was interested in everything – in the kibbutz, he was aware of everything. He loved life, he wanted to see the world, to travel, he was interested in flora and fauna, he read a lot, he knew a lot of areas. ” In the kibbutz they used to call him his family name – Barkai, and he too adopted this name and signed his letters. “Barkai, a cup of coffee – Barkai, we go to the children’s homes – Barkai, we drive to the Sea of Galilee, Listen to records, argue about Judaism, enter friendships, kibbutz life – Barkai is always there and always in the head, it was like a crossword puzzle, in which the black square appears prominently, everyone loved the handsome guy, he was a partner in all the activities. When he wasn’t at a party, it was as if the room was empty, he liked to spend time with the girls, and the girls adored him, but unlike the other boys, he liked to sit and chat with them. “I remember,” says Nitza, “that when we argued about a subject, and the voices would rais, he would say, ‘Nu, Nitza, give a final sentence and close the deal.'” He had a good heart, immediately gave advice, and helped in practical terms. The group really lacks it today. ”
Yaakov was drafted into the Israel Defense Forces in January 1972 and was assigned to the Armored Corps, where he completed a platoon training course, a tank gun course, and a tank course, all with excellent grades. At first, he was happy there. The atmosphere of the flight school suited him very well. He worked out well with the studies. But he took it easy. Then he had disciplinary problems and he was ciked out of the course, tried his luck in a navigational course, but by then he was very upset and decided to retire from the air force. When our whole class was already a whole year in the army, he started basic training in the Armored Corps. We said to him: Are you crazy? but he was sure about it and he succeeded. Was very popular, wanted to go to an officer’s course, although he knew he would have to stay in the army for another year. He believed that he should contribute to the army as much as he could. But earlier they sent him on a course for professional instructors. About a week before the war broke out, the course had to be completed as an outstanding apprentice. In the Yom Kippur War, Yaakov took part in the braking battles against the Egyptians in the northern sector of the Suez Canal. On October 8, 1973, he was hit and killed in battle. He was brought to eternal rest in the cemetery of Kibbutz Ashdot Yaakov. He was survived by a mother, two sisters, and two brothers. After his fall, he was promoted to sergeant.
