Chibovsky, Tova (Tova’le)

Daughter of Yosef and Chaya. She was born on the 2nd of Sivan, May 18, 1942, in the city of Sarniki, Poland. In the midst of the Second World War, where the family hid, people suggested to her mother, to suffocate the baby, lest the enemy discover their hiding place. She did not listen to them, and raised her with the help of a Christian woman, until the end of the war. When she was three years old, the family decided to immigrate to Israel, and arrived in 1950. They were sent to the transit camp near Rechovot, lived in a tent, and afterwards, in the barracks. A few years later, the family settled in an apartment, in the immigrant housing project. During this very difficult time, Tova studied diligently. After completing her studies at the Smilansky Primary School, she completed her high school studies in Rishon LeZion in 1961. She was fond of literature (and poetry in particular) and even music. She completed a drawing course in 1962, and found work, not only to support herself, but to help parents in their distress. She helped everyone, whether they were relatives, or poor and abandoned children. In July, 1962, she was drafted into the Israel Defense Forces, and completed her officers’ course successfully, fulfilling all her duties with devotion and loyalty, as testified by all of her commanders. On the 1st of Shevat, January 15, 1964, she fell during the line of duty, and was put to rest in the military cemetery in Rechovot. After her death, she was promoted to lieutenant.