Gal (Grodniewicz), Raphael (Rafi)
Raphael (Rafi), son of Irena and Alexander, was born on August 12, 1952 in Jerusalem and studied at the Arlozorov Elementary School in Jerusalem. After graduating from the Meir Boyer High School in Jerusalem, he was a diligent student who respected and valued his teachers, and they loved and admired him. Rafi was equally interested in humanistic and scientific subjects; He attended high school in literature, but was also interested in biology. In the last two years he devoted a special interest to the subject of history. He was also enrolled and accepted to study at the Faculty of Social Sciences at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. By nature he was kind, quiet and humble; A loyal friend, who was a favorite of all, was active and active in the life of his girlfriend. Raphael was drafted into the IDF in early November 1970, after he changed his name from Grodniewicz to Gal, volunteered for the Armored Corps, and after completing his basic training he was sent to a course for tank drivers and then completed a tank commander course, In the Golan Heights he was awarded the rank of First Sergeant, and Rafi was a dedicated and responsible commander, and he took care of his soldiers, but he did not care too much about discipline, but demanded strict adherence to all the tasks of training, routine and carrying out a mission. His commander wrote: “Raphael was a good soldier and an excellent friend and was loved by everyone who knew him.” Rafi was seriously injured in an accident during a tour of the Golan Heights and was transferred to the hospital, He died of his wounds on the 8th of Tishrei 5734 (8.10.1973) and was brought to rest at the military cemetery on Mount Herzl, leaving behind his parents and brother, who was promoted to the rank of sergeant.