Berkovits, Yitzhak

Son of Esther Gitel and Zvi was born on December 22, 1905 in the town of Lutotov, Poland, to a Zionist and educated father, a descendant of a family of rabbis. He grew up and was educated in a Zionist atmosphere. Was the pioneer of the transition to industrialism in his town and studied there in the framework work. He saw the transition to productivity as a corridor to immigration to Eretz Israel. In 1920 – and Yitzhak, then 15 – a mob of angry rioters came upon the town and Yitzhak came out against them with an ax in his hand. When he immigrated to Israel he spent a year in Paris and sailed on a ship without a permit to immigrate. Until Beirut, he traveled as a sailor and entered Israel through the Galilee border in 1924. When he arrived in Israel, he settled in Petah Tikva, where he worked as a public figure and a prominent figure. He loved the country and its landscapes, was open-minded and benevolent, and spread its map to its friends during times of crisis and lack of work. He was known for his modesty and integrity and was therefore often asked to serve as an arbitrator in disputes. “The small opposites are a foundation and according to them the great truth will be examined” – was used by him. He was independent, alert to battle and eager to act, and in the face of danger he went with a smile on his face in a “self-evident” attitude. Yitzhak was one of the founders of the organization of craftsmen in Israel and initiated the establishment of “Ma’on HaMelacha”. He also served as Chairman of the Parents’ Committee at the General School in Petach Tikvah, an active member of Maccabi and of the General Zionist Organization and one of its veteran dealers, and he founded the Saad Foundation, which was later named after him. He also invented weapons for the Haganah, he also invented some weapons upgrades, he was active in security matters and was assigned to every position, and was one of the first saboteurs in Israel to study in a sergeant course, Who was exempt from enlistment according to his age and being the father of three children, volunteered for the War of Independence and served in the Alexandroni Brigade, where he met Migdal Tzedek, near Petah Tikva, To participate in its conquest, and when Yitzhak was attacked by his forces, his commander was required to return to his home – because he was assigned an important role in the war effort – but he refused and demanded that he join him in conquering the place where he had invested so much effort. Yitzchak fell in the conquest of Migdal Tzedek from a sniper bullet on Thursday, July 12, 1948, and was brought to eternal rest in the military cemetery in Petach Tikvah. He was 42 years old when he fell. He left a wife and three children. The “Ma’on HaMelacha” (the workshop), which was established on its own initiative and the street where the home is located, is now named after him.