Cohen, Baruch (Tawfik)

Son of Zachia and Eliahu, was born in 1928 in Aleppo, Syria. In his city, he studied at the Talmud Torah and elementary school and studied metal and nickel. In 1944 he immigrated to Israel by land. After his arrival he served two years as a patrolman in the Coast Guard and later worked as a canteen in a British military camp near Gaza. His friends often praised him for his virtues; he kept his tongue offensive and insulting, reconciling adversaries, and willing to help a friend when he urged the loan, with encouragement and good counsel, and lived in peace with everyone. In the course of his work he saved money and bought him half a house in Hatikva neighborhood in Tel Aviv and was about to marry a wife, but in the meantime the War of Independence broke out and he joined the campaign and served in the Carmeli Brigade. Baruch participated in the Galilee and “Triangle” systems and recently in the battles in Jenin. After stopping the invasion of the Jordan Valley, our forces took the initiative and attacked the Gilboa area. After gaining control of the Gilboa ridge, the Carmeli Brigade attacked Jenin on the night of June 2-3 and occupied the outposts controlling the city. The Iraqi army, which had moved to Samaria after its failure in the Jordan Valley, concentrated its forces and counterattacked and our forces were forced to withdraw. Baruch was absent in battle on May 3, 1948. On 20 Av 5710 (3.8.1950), he was laid to rest at the military cemetery on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem.