Finko, Eliyahu (Eli)

Son of Carola and Abraham, was born on 21.3.1963 in Nes Ziona. Eli was a second son to his parents. He studied at the State School in Nes Ziona, and during his years in school he was also a member of the Hanoar Haoved Vehalomed movement. Eli learned to play the trumpet in the youth village of the moshava and was a member of the youth orchestra. Eli participated in sports activities and marches of the colony, and went on many trips with his friends. In 1977, when he graduated from elementary school, he joined the Mevo’ot Yam marine boarding school in Mikhmoret and met new members there and acquired their hearts. He continued to participate in sports competitions, especially in the maritime professions, and achieved good achievements. According to his friends and mentors, Eli was an exceptional person in that it was hard to get angry. He was calm and thoughtful, never arguing about marginal issues. He knew how to relieve tension in his sense of humor and the ease with which he was. At home, too, it was Eli, who calmed down the arguments between the brothers and directed the conversation into a positive channel. He was very diligent, involved in every job and willingly helping everyone. Eli was drafted into the IDF when he completed his studies at the boarding school, and his goal was to serve in the navy, in basic training, ten days after his enlistment, on August 27, 1981. He was killed in the course of his duties, He placed two parents and two brothers, and his family immortalized his name by donating a bag and pomegranates to a Torah scroll in a synagogue