Friedmann, Yaakov
Yaakov, son of Rivka and Eliahu, was born in Tel Aviv on January 26, 1950. He studied at the “Yesodei HaTorah” school in Bnei Brak and later completed his studies at the “New Yishuv” high school yeshiva in Tel Aviv After completing his studies he decided to postpone his enlistment in the IDF and joined the “Beit HaTalmud” yeshiva in Jerusalem, where he studied for another four years. Yaakov was an outstanding student, intelligent and industrious. In the yeshiva, he would spend days and nights studying and, according to his teachers, he would be among the outstanding students – not only in Talmud Torah but also in views and values. The leaders of the yeshiva applauded him and prophesied him greatness. He was serious about his approach to life, honest and conscientious, always willing to help others. All his life he was a loyal son and devoted to his parents and cared for his family. Yaakov was drafted into the IDF at the end of July 1971, and was assigned to the Armored Corps, and after completing his training he returned to study at the “Beit HaTalmud” yeshiva and began working among new immigrants in development towns. Met with youth who were nurtured, talked to them and brought them to educational institutions in Jerusalem and Bnei Brak, and even promised to pay the fees for holding them in institutions and raised funds from organizations and people who learned to appreciate his enterprise. During his entire service in the Israel Defense Forces, he tried not to worry his parents A lot of stories about his difficulties, so as not to upset them. When the Yom Kippur War broke out he joined his unit and participated in battles against the Egyptians in the Sinai. On October 19, 1973, his tank was hit, fell into the Suez Canal and all his crew were killed. He was brought to eternal rest in the cemetery on the Mount of Olives. Survived by his parents and two brothers. After his fall, he was promoted to sergeant. His family and friends commemorated the establishment of a fund called Ahisamek, which works to continue Yaakov’s life work. The foundation supports the holding of youth in educational institutions and provides them with clothing and study aids; his parents also established a charity fund, which provides interest-free loans to those in need. The fund is named “The Yaakov Friedman Fund for Charity”.
