Ephraim, Ezra (Uzi)

Son of Lily and Moshe, was born on 20.8.1959 in Ramat Gan and studied at the Merkaz elementary school in the city. Afterward, he studied at the ORT school in mechanics, and graduated from Ankori High School in Tel Aviv. From an early age Ezra volunteered for activities in various frameworks, such as Akim and the Civil Guard, and was always ready to help others, taking part in a course for commanders and a Gadna cadet course, a young sapper course and a first aid course for Magen David Adom. He later moved to the “Scouts of Ramat Gan” as an apprentice and was later appointed as a counselor, and was involved in a variety of athletic activities that earned him the “Sports Medal”. Ezra was an optimistic young man, full of life and very friendly. His friends and apprentices in the various frameworks loved and appreciated his honesty and his sympathetic approach to people. Ezra was drafted into the IDF in mid-January 1978 and volunteered to serve in the paratroop brigade. He was an excellent apprentice and squad commander, and when he was injured during training, he fought to raise his profile back so that he could keep rising. After basic training, Ezra joined the “Al-Am” nucleus in Kibbutz Kfar-Azza, worked in a chicken coop and a cowshed, thereby realizing his love for animals and nature in general. When he was discharged from regular service, he set up a wonderful farm for children on the kibbutz. At the end of his regular army service, Ezra was stationed in the reserve forces and served in a reconnaissance unit. On the 25th of Cheshvan (11.11.1982), Ezra fell in the line of duty in the Peace for the Galilee War. He was laid to rest in the military cemetery in Kiryat Shaul. He left behind his parents and sister. In a letter of condolence to the bereaved family, his commander wrote: “When I visited you, I saw how warmly Ezra grew up and how difficult and sad it is for you now.”