Fruchter, Yair

Son of Chana and Michoel, he was born on 13.10.1961 in Kibbutz Sa’ad in the northern Negev. He studied at the Daat elementary school in his kibbutz and at the Yavneh high school in Kibbutz Yavne. Yair was a member of the Bnei Akiva youth movement and of the religious sports association “Elitzur.” His physical strength was reflected in his athletic activity, he was a swimming champion, excelled in running mid-distance, played basketball and volleyball. When he was in high school in Yavneh, Yair began preparing himself for his service in the IDF. It was clear to him that he would volunteer for an elite unit, so he began his fitness training. About six months before he enlisted, Yair studied at the yeshiva. The studies there appealed to him. He aspired to perfection, not only personally and sought to influence his environment. “I want to bring them to the truth and to lead them in the way I think it is appropriate to go.” I want the society to be composed of people who will faithfully believe in the existence of the Creator and will follow his path I think that a civilized society based on values ​​- a moral society – will emerge from it. ” He joined the IDF in November 1979 and served in the Golani Brigade reconnaissance unit. When the Peace for Gailliee War broke out, Yair was on his way to Kibbutz Haogen to participate in a memorial service on the 30th day of the fall of his friend in battle, and he was traveling by military vehicle on the Tel Aviv-Haifa road. On 17 Tamuz (8.7.1982), he was killed in a traffice accident. The commander of his unit wrote to his family: “Yair was one of the pillars of his team and of the entire unit. His physical strength, the strong will, the characteristic humor, the clear and profound thought, and above all his strong belief in justice, turned him into one of the most prominent soldiers in the unit and one of the people who become a source of admiration and imitation for younger soldiers.” Yair was laid to rest at the Kibbutz Saad cemetery. He is survived by his parents, two brothers and a sister, and his kibbutz published a booklet to commemorate him.