Israel, Gideon (Gidi)

Ben Sarah and Shlomo. Born in Haifa on 21.11.1968 Gideon studied at the Kishon Elementary School and at the Reali School in the State and Society track, both in Haifa, and in his youth he joined the Scouts movement and was active both in the movement and in all the Gadna activities in the home – his book. He successfully completed a Gadna-Air course at the Bezalel Academy of Art and Design, as well as a training course at the Gadna base. To the matriculation certificate that reached his parents after his death, a letter was attached from Yitzhak Navon, who was then Minister of Education and Culture, who said: “Completed his studies with effort and skill.” Gideon’s friends could tell him that he was a ‘nail’ at all the parties and the spirit in which they lived, and that they loved him because of his wonderful smile and sense of humor. Gideon loved drawing and solving puzzles, running long distances, playing soccer, basketball and tennis. He helped everyone and loved children very much. Gidon’s teachers saw him as a smart, lively, loving and sympathetic boy, with his sensitivity, smiles and kindness. In August 1987, Gideon enlisted in the IDF, but his ambition was to get into the naval commando, but due to an injury he was injured before he was drafted, he could not fulfill his dream, but rather play an important and responsible role as a computer man in the Haifa district. 1988 Gideon was seriously injured in a road accident and three months later, on the 15th of Adar 5739 (March 21, 1989), he fell in the line of duty when he died of his wounds. His brother Danny, who was also injured in the same accident, recovered from his wounds and when he was drafted into the IDF, served on the same base as Gideon. On October 17, 1993, his sister Rachel gave birth to a son named after him – Gideon. After his fall, his parents published a book in memory of him and his name was immortalized in the monument to the fallen of the Reali School and the Yad Labanim House, both in Haifa and in the Kishon Elementary School where he studied. His uncles from the United States commemorated his name in the Moriah Synagogue in Tel Amal.