Ezra, Rafi

Rafi, ben Percha and Eliahu, was born on the 14th of Elul, September 1, 1936, in Iraq. His family immigrated to Israel in 1950, to Bnei Brak. Rafi was drafted into the IDF in early February 1955. After completing basic training, he completed a driving course and an artillery course and served in an artillery unit until the end of his regular army service. He married Dina and they had three children. Everyone who knew him loved and respected him. When the Yom Kippur War broke out, Rafi was called to his unit, and he passed through all the stages of the fighting without being harmed: On the 4th of Cheshvan 5734, October 10th 1973, when he hurried home to see his wife and children, he was hit by a car adn died on the way to the hospital. He was brought to eternal rest in the cemetery in Kiryat Shaul. He left behind a wife, two sons and a daughter, brothers and sisters. After his death he was promoted to corporal. The defense minister, Moshe Dayan, wrote:” Rafi Ezra gave his life for his homeland. Rafi was an excellent soldier and an exemplary friend, everyone who knew him loved him, and the memory of Rafi Ezra is holy, and we were crowned in our hearts with pride.