Ben-Zechariah, Matityahu

Matityahu, son of Miriam and Issachar, was born on October 13, 1954 in Petah Tikva. He attended the elementary school in Petah Tikva, the Amal high school in Paga and the “Onim” cookery school in Kfar Saba. Matityahu, who was known by his family and friends when he was a student, was a diligent student. At first, he studied mechanics and then attended a cooking school. He loved this profession and wanted to be a cook in the army. As a child, he was a very comfortable and quiet child, and when he grew up he became a sociable boy, very popular in society and his friends loved to come to his home. He had a sense of humor and was often tempted to amuse his friends with his jokes. He was kind, modest, and always happy. He loved to help everyone. He was clean, his clothes were neat, and his appearance was always handsome. Matityahu was very attached to his family and helped his younger brothers and sisters in their studies. He loved his younger sister and when she was a little girl he bought her textbooks, which would help her when she went to school. Indeed, she knew how to read even before she entered school. Matty was a very devoted son to his parents and treated them with great respect. He took care of the house and would love to surprise his parents by bringing them presents and even purchasing a carpet, various household utensils and more. Before he was drafted into the military service, he worked for the “security guards” and was very devoted to his work. His superiors, who praised him for his dedication and diligence, also promised him that they would welcome him with open arms after he was discharged from the army. Matityahu was drafted into the IDF in early February 1973 and served in an infantry unit on the Golan Heights and at the Egoz patrol. He was a well-disciplined soldier, admired by his friends and commanders alike. During his vacations he worked, so as not to be a burden to his parents and even to help them as much as he could. He wrote many letters to his parents to reassure them and to prevent them from worrying. In the Yom Kippur War, Matityahu was with his unit in the Golan Heights. On October 6, 1973, he was hit and killed by Syrian shelling in the city of Quneitra, who was brought to rest in the cemetery in Petach Tikvah, leaving behind his parents and six brothers and sisters. His commander wrote that Matityahu always excelled in fulfilling the most difficult and complex task he was entrusted with, and his parents donated a Torah scroll to his synagogue in Petach Tikvah.