Halifa, Yaakov (Kobi)

Jacob, son of Rachel and Joseph z “l, was born on 29.5.1953 in Tel Aviv and completed his elementary studies at the Sokolov School in Jerusalem and completed his high school studies at the Gilboa educational institution at Kibbutz Beit Kobi, as his friends and family affectionately called him, was a twin brother to Shabtai, and they both had a big sister, Sara, who was one year old and their sister was three years old. The twins were cared for by the father and the twins were transferred to WIZO women’s care. Under the supervision of the WIZO organization, the children grew up to seven years of age, trying to dispel the loneliness and distance from their mother’s love and the warmth of the family, and Kobi closed in on himself. Kobi was a quiet child who came to the aid of a friend and the help of a stranger in times of trouble and dreamed of going to Kibbutz Beit Alpha after his sister Sarah and finishing his high school studies there, He came to the farm with the first sons of the “Rakefet” group, which consisted of boys and girls from different parts of the country, each of whom had various problems, family and personality, who surprised his educators with the tremendous efforts he invested, Respectable in his group. He never shouted to be heard. He did his job quietly, trying to be “OK” with everyone, in any situation. Kobi did not talk about his difficult childhood and about being an orphan from a father. He did not want to win recognition of society in the way of mercy. He was diligent and dedicated in his work combined with studies, and kept up his own demands. Kobi’s great love was sports activity. He was an avid admirer of the Beitar Jerusalem team, a fan of “burnt”. On Sundays, when the results of the league games arrived, and it turned out that his “team” won – he was really another person. Something in his gaze was more proud and daring. He himself was involved in all kinds of sports. And always worked hard to get better results, to justify being a member of the local teams. Jacob was humble and timid and never tried to be a leader. He was always attracted to families that looked Simcha and had a father and mother and children, and he admired the image of the whole family he had never had. Throughout his years of education and education, he maintained close contact with his mother, and their love and concern for one another was not impaired by the distance in the living quarters. He demanded his mother’s peace and shared his experiences with him, but he did not tell her about his difficulties and did not drive, because of his modesty, to brag about his achievements in any field. Yaakov was drafted into the IDF in early November 1972. After completing basic training and completing a course for infantry commanders and a Patton tank course, he served as a rifleman, a combat medic, a tank driver and finally as a liaison officer in an armored unit. He was able to divide his time between visits to his mother and visits to Kibbutz Beit Alfa, where he also went to work in order to be able to serve in a combat unit and not to disappoint himself. To assist as much as possible in alleviating the burden of the shortage of working hands: When the Yom Kippur War broke out, The birth Sinai, to reinforce the strong points on the line of the canal. On the tenth of Tishrei Tsl”d (6/10/1973) increased his tank fire and Jacob was killed. He remained in enemy territory and was considered missing for six months. He was later laid to rest in the military cemetery on Mount Herzl, leaving behind a mother, twin brother and sister. In order to commemorate his name, his family purchased a parochet for the synagogue, as well as a menorah and grenades.