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Cohen, Dotan (Yitzhak)

Cohen, Dotan (Yitzhak)


Ben Bill and Naomi. He was born on February 28, 1975 in Kibbutz Givat Haim Ihud. For his parents it was a second marriage and Dotan was their only common son. Already in his infancy Dotan stood out at the speed of his perception and extraordinary understanding. He began to speak even before he was a year old, and his physical development was also quick, as if he wanted to swallow life and fast … He spent his childhood in Kibbutz Givat Hayim Ihud, kindergarten, elementary school and junior high. When he reached eighth grade, his parents decided to leave the kibbutz and move to Hadera, but Dotan continued to study at the kibbutz junior high school. When it was time to move to high school Dotan decided to continue with his classmates, and moved with them to the joint high school “Hof Hacarmel” Kibbutz Magan Michael, where he graduated. Dotan’s educator in high school was also the one who was educated in the brigade, and their long-standing acquaintance with them led to deep friendship. From his youth, Dotan was a great scholar in many fields. Even in kindergarten, the children used to turn to him when the kindergarten teacher “ran out” of the answers, because “Dotan knows everything.” His great knowledge was also expressed in high school, and he often saved his classmates from many embarrassing moments in the class, the teacher says. In the middle years, Dotan and his girlfriend Maya began to develop a great love. The special relationship that developed between them was a growing love that grew stronger. Dotan’s estate contains wonderful love songs and many letters he wrote to Maya. These writings testify to his excellent writing talent. Dotan was a man. His inner integrity, his humanity and his many talents, as well as his pleasant and pleasant ways, ensured his family, his friends and his country many. He was close to Jewish traditions and sources and kept kosher from childhood, despite the attempts of his grandparents, the secular Yekkes, to dissuade him and despite the reactions of his fellow kibbutzniks. The Bible was one of his great lovers, and he used to read it frequently and talk about it at home, especially in his book “Kohelet.” Dotan was also interested in literature and language, and he read and memorized key phrases from books he liked. Who had read Gabriel Garcia Marx’s “Chronicle of a Predetermined Death,” before he and his team arrived at Beaufort, his musical talent and his passion for jazz were expressed in his playing guitar and writing music, and one of the songs he composed won third place at a festival organized by the Beach High School Carmel “and” Maayan “high school Dotan has a special sense of humor (inherited from his father), and his linguistic ability to create When he completed his studies, Dotan continued to serve in the youth movement “Ha-Mahanot Ha’olim” as a guide in South Tel Aviv and Kibbutz Shefayim, where his qualities began to stand out as a natural leader at the end of November 1994. Dotan joined the IDF out of great enthusiasm, which stems from deep conviction of the importance of the contribution of the combat service to the state. He was trained as a combat soldier in the “Orev” unit of the Nahal paramilitary unit, and became the second home for him, a real family. Because he insisted on always saying what was on his mind, making his comments and criticizing him when necessary, and even when he went to the Infantry Officers Course he did not spare the criticism that almost cost him his dismissal from the course. After finishing the officers’ course, Dotan returned to his unit as a team commander and received an old team, which was about to finish its training course. He soon became a beloved commander who displayed caring and commitment to his soldiers and the system. In the weekly summary talksLed a discussion in this week’s parsha, and continued with a tradition of imparting values ​​in which he believed. He decided to go to the officers’ course, even though he knew that the departure involved an extension of the period of military service by another two years, because he saw great importance in contributing to the state. A few months before the disaster, Dotan responded to the invitation of the school he attended, to speak to the 12th graders who were about to be drafted, to serve in the army and to motivate. On the evening of the 28th of Shvat 5757 (February 4, 1997), on the birthday of Dotan , Two helicopters crashed in the settlement of Kibbutz Givat Hayim Ihud and left behind two parents, three sisters, and two children, Maayan, Dana and Maor, and brother of Jordan, who was promoted to the rank of lieutenant in his letter of condolence to the bereaved family. Chief of Staff Amnon Lipkin-Shahak wrote: And served as the commander of a team in the “Orev” company of the Nahal Brigade, and was described by his commanders as an officer and as a dedicated commander of high values ​​who quickly gained the trust of his soldiers. Dotan stood out for his love of Israel and was highly respected by his commanders and subordinates alike. “The commander of the unit where Dotan served, wrote to his family:” Dotan was a unit commander in the unit. His subordinates admired him and were very willing to follow him for every mission. His professional level and his desire to learn and improve all the time were admirable. Dotan excelled throughout his military career, as a soldier, as a cadet and as an officer. Dotan placed great emphasis on educating his soldiers on the values ​​and love of the country and in a very short time acquired their trust. Dotan was an officer and a fighter with a constant desire for perfection and professionalism. Along with his eagerness to succeed and break records, he managed to take care of his soldiers and nurture them. “Dotan was the Zionist of the 1990s, without cynicism. And without quotes. He was ‘poisoned’ by the army and loved his job. “On the 30th day, the commander of the unit parted with the words:” Dotan, I miss you so much. I miss your personal integrity … I miss your presence that has so much confidence in me. I was glad you were a commander in my unit and I was proud of you. “

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