Bonfil, Yehuda (‘Buffy’)
Son of Jacob and Luna. He was born on the 27th of Adar 5717 (28.2.1957) in Lod. Studied at the Herzliya Elementary School in Lod, continued and graduated from the Ramle-Lod high school. Yehuda was a diligent student who was interested in the humanities and excelled in studying the history and geography of the Land of Israel. He was a member of the Scouts youth movement and later served as a counselor at the Lod branch. He was a sports fan and excelled in swimming and handball. During one of the summer holidays, he underwent a course for rescuers and received a lifeguard’s certificate. Yehuda was interested in various fields. In addition to training in the youth movement and his sporting activities, he was known as the King of Folk Dance in Lod. He was optimistic and cheerful. He loved to help others and was loved by his friends. Thanks to his kindness, he is called everyone by the nickname ‘Buffy’. At the same time, he was serious about his approach to life and faithful to his principles. During the Yom Kippur War, when he was still in high school, Yehuda volunteered to treat prisoners of war who had been hospitalized at the Shmuel Harofeh Hospital. He also volunteered to work in the Magen David Adom and to guard the Civil Guard. He did not give up his studies and planned to study law at the university after his military service, and was drafted into the IDF in August 1975 and joined the infantry. After basic training and after completing a course in parachuting, a course in Surrey Golani and an officers’ course, he was sent to serve in the infantry battalion in the north. He was an excellent officer, responsible and devoted to his job. Yehuda was an example of his friends and a model for his subordinates in his passivity and good temper. His subordinates say that he was a dedicated commander and cared for his soldiers, but he always demanded precise execution. He tried not to worry his parents, made sure to call home, but did not say much about his difficulties, but he accepted the efforts and the tension on the front with good will. On the 12th of Tishrei 5728 (24.9.1977) Yehuda fell in a bombardment in the area of Har Dov. He was laid to rest at the military cemetery in Lod. Survived by his parents, sister and brother. After they fell they were promoted to lieutenant. His parents set up a wave of intelligence in his memory.
