Greenman, Ben-Zion (Tamim)
Son of-Zion, son of Chana and Chaim Greenman, was born on December 25, 1956, in the city of Kiev, the capital of Ukraine. The dream of immigrating to Israel was born after the Six-Day War when he heard the songs of the country on Kol Israel broadcasts. As was customary in Russia, he was registered in the Red Army recruitment office before he turned 18, but he told his parents, “I will not go to the army, I will sit in prison and then I will immigrate to Israel.” Thus, in June 1975, Roni (his nickname) immigrated with his parents and his elderly and sick grandmother to Israel. Three days after his immigration, he turned to the rabbi and mohel, who gave him a circumcision as a matter of law, and simultaneously changed his name from Bronislaw to Son of-Zion. Son of-Zion was drafted into the IDF in May 1975 and volunteered for the paratroopers. Despite the difficulties of basic training and the Israeli climate he was not used to, Son of-Zion did his utmost to fulfill his duties, like his other comrades in arms, and was promoted to corporal in February 1977, after completing a commanding course. Son of-Zion was transferred to the Armored Corps, completed a course for tank commanders and armored corps commanders and continued to study Hebrew in special courses for IDF immigrants. On June 6, 1982, the day of the outbreak of the war, Son of-Zion was called up to reserve duty as a mortar carrier, and five days later, on 20 June 1982, his company fought in the eastern sector of the village south of Bab al-Vad. The company entered the village at night and encountered a stubborn enemy who opened fire on it. A few of the soldiers barricaded themselves in one of the houses. Son of-Zion was hit by a bullet and was killed. He was 25 years old. Son of-Zion was buried in the military cemetery in Haifa and left behind parents and a sister.
