Erez Merchavi

Son of Ora and Yosef, Erez was born on the 16th of Shevat 5738 (14.10.1978) in Moshav Tarom, brother to Shlomi, Vered, Shmuel and Dror, who began his studies at Matityahu Elementary School in Moshav Tzalfon and continued in the junior high school in Givat Shmuel. He joined the IDF in December 1998, and since he wanted to serve in an elite unit, he was trained in the Golani reconnaissance unit. During the fitness tests he found out that he had a problem with one eye and was disqualified for combat service. Erez did not give in and acted in various ways to serve, even if he was weak. After basic training and completing an officers’ course, he began his service as an officer assistant to a brigade platoon in the Ephraim Regional Brigade. For a year and a half, he served in this position and filled it to the best. On September 18, 2001, Lt. Erez was killed when terrorists shot at the vehicle he was traveling in the Tulkarm area and was brought to rest at the Mount Herzl military cemetery. Parents, three brothers and a sister, was twenty-three years old when he fell in. Colonel Yoram, commander of the unit in which Erez served, writes: “As soon as he arrived at the unit about five months ago, we got to know Erez’s pleasant manner and modesty. And values, which dealt seriously and notable with a unit and a role that were new to him, and with the dedication and responsibility that he discovered, Erez was an example to all. Erez and his subordinates loved him and remembered his door open to all those who approached him and his ability to reassure those around him and to elevate their spirits. ” A tree was planted in his memory in the Jerusalem hills by the Hod ve-Hadar community – the Masorti Movement.