James, Abihu (Klunimus)

Son of Gadi and Bernice. He was born on February 13, 1978 in Kfar Hasidim, the fourth son of an agricultural family, and began his studies at the Kfar Hasidim elementary school, and went on to the junior high school in the religious youth village in the settlement. Avihu was a solid red guy with a wide, smiling smile, warm and sensitive eyes, a charismatic and confident walk, always alert and ready to help and help. “Bnei Akiva” in the village – first as an apprentice, and later as a guide – because he loved the army and wanted to fulfill itself in this way, Avihu insisted on continuing his studies in a military boarding school. He was not easily fulfilled, but in the end he was finally accepted to the Or Etzion pre-military college, and every two weeks, the little redhead was dressed in uniform and carrying a huge bag for two more stormy weeks at the boarding school. In his letter to his sister, Zohar, when he left for Ulpana, Avihu outlined clear lines of conduct and thought and published his optimistic outlook on life: “… Never, never, never say anything bad about someone in the class or in general – do not pass criticism On the contrary, always say a good word about people, even if you sometimes think like the rest of the girls … You have to take things easy and In proportion and this you will learn from my mistakes, which means that even if things do not get along the way we wanted them to manage, you’ll see that time heals everything and in the end you will always be Simcha … Always leave a certain place you came to, better than before. That means that you will always improve and not the other way round … The hardest time is only sixty minutes. “Avihu joined the IDF in early August 1996 and volunteered for the elite unit” Shayetet 13 “- the naval commando unit. After completing the exhausting course in the unit, he went to an officers’ course and returned to the commando unit as a commander of a combat team. Prior to taking office, he defined several goals for himself: to be a leading team in the unit; To participate as much as possible in operational activities; To educate the values ​​and love of the land and to impart knowledge and affection to the Jewish tradition. Indeed, all his goals were fulfilled to the last of them; Avihu took care of Zionism and Judaism lessons so that his soldiers knew what they were fighting for. He participated in dozens of daring operations, many of which remained anonymous, and gained the trust and admiration of commanders and commanders. In his unique way, Avihu knew how to battle and draw his soldiers into his religious world. Thus, on the Purim holiday, all the members of the diving team arrived at the synagogue in Kfar Hasidim to participate in reading the Megillah Purim. They went to Safed together to study and experience matzah, and on a guided tour of the Jewish Quarter of the Old City. During his service in the naval commando unit, Avihu expressed his desire to go to the “big” army, to study his mode of operation and to take part in his missions, and therefore suggested that his commanders join his unit in activities in Palestinian cities. His extraordinary proposal was accepted, and so the naval commandos began training and participating in warfare in built-up areas. In the course of time and forced circumstances, Avihu was forced to part with the Shayetet, not before he gave each of his fighters a copy of Tractate Avot, and in his dedication to the book he wrote: “It was always important for me to emphasize and guide personal values ​​and ways of life. Is different from the rest of the tractates and does not deal with Halachic matters, but includes matters of morality, righteousness and virtues. ” He concluded his service at the naval commando unit: “Avihu finishes a year as a team commander, which he performed with honors, leading his team to achievements both in the normative and operational-professional fields …”Avihu was assigned to the Golani Brigade, first as a company commander and later as a company commander, and the new route was not easy for him and he had to deal with a different way of thinking and other patterns of work. Avihu was of the opinion that the brigade’s soldiers could become good and professional fighters at a level no less than that of the naval commandos, whose aim was “to raise a company to lead and win every mission,” emphasizing the personal responsibility of every soldier to maintain professionalism, He kept telling his subordinates the ladder He bought books of his heritage for his soldiers, and on every birthday he placed a book under the soldier’s blanket, along with a few personal words, and for his last position – commander of the company’s company in Battalion 51 (the First Boker Battalion) – Avihu was appointed a few weeks before his fall, To replace the company commander, Captain Roi Greenwald, who was wounded, Avihu commanded the company during Operation Defensive Shield, leading its soldiers in all the cities of the West Bank – in Tulkarm, Qalqiliya, Hebron and Jenin. In front of crossfire in order to save soldiers who were hurt and constantly sacrificed his life. In a daring and difficult personal operation, Avihu rescued the bodies of his fighters, who were kidnapped by Palestinians, and his friends testify: “Avihu did not hesitate for a moment. He threw off the vest and ran to rescue the dead soldiers he had carried on his back to safety. Even in the most difficult situations, such as during the period in which the reserve soldiers were killed in Jenin, Avihu bravely encouraged his soldiers to continue fighting and not to break down, while maintaining strict moral values. With his charm, he succeeded in following him and leading him as a personal example of a perpetual, sometimes naive, fighter for justice and equality. There were many certificates of honor and honor that he had won in his lifetime, but Avihu was humble and even concealed the fact that he received the medal of excellence he received on Independence Day, the commander of the Northern Command. His company was surrounded by a building in Nablus where explosives laboratories and wanted persons from Hamas were planning to carry out a suicide bombing attack in Israel, including the terrorist responsible for preparing the explosive device that was detonated at the Park Hotel in Netanya. The sabotage that was detonated did not knock the door and some of it remained standing, so as not to endanger the Soldiers not to harm civilians, and Avihu battalion approached the door, but then was hit again fired at them from inside the house. Avihu was critically wounded and taken by helicopter to Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer, where he died of his wounds. The battalion commander, Lt. Col. Ofek Buchris, was seriously wounded and another soldier was lightly wounded. Avihu did not receive updates on the results of the operation, during which Golani soldiers broke into the apartment and killed the two terrorists, blew up the explosives laboratory and a car laden with weapons and ammunition and arrested the Hamas members before carrying out another attack. Avihu was twenty-four years old when he died. He was brought to eternal rest in the Kfar Hasidim cemetery. Survived by parents, two brothers – Amir and Da’al and three sisters – Hadas, Zohar and Chen. After his fall he was promoted to the rank of major and was awarded a commendation for his excellence in Operation Defensive Shield. In the days of the shiva, Avihu’s parents sent a congratulatory message to then-Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, who was on a political mission in the United States, and wrote: “Following the fall of our son Avihu and after the fierce fighting that he had in his company,In this world, we would like to inform you of three of the many details about our son Avihu: (1) In Efodu there is always an Israeli flag. (2) During the fighting in Jenin (as is known in the fighting in Jenin, his company is the fighter), they were wearing candy for the children of the refugees. (3) At the end of the fighting in Jenin he put his company in a circle and asked two questions: If there are soldiers who took souvenirs from the refugees, they will move to the center of the circle. B. Colonel Elazar Stern, Chief Education and Youth Officer, published the parents’ letter in the May 2002 letter of “Davar LeZatach” and on the website of the Education and Youth Corps, “From the letter of the parents to the prime minister, based on the stories of Avihu’s commanders, soldiers and comrades, the exceptional figure of a young, ethical and charismatic officer who was in his life exemplified an officer and a man emerges. It was his seriousness and devotion to his task, the fighting and the day-to-day life that swept commanders and soldiers into heroic acts that saved lives. “His character is a combination of patriotism, a model of combat and command, unlimited dedication, comradeship, purity of arms, morality, sensitivity, humanity and a deep recognition of the justice of our struggle.” The chief of staff at the time, Major General Shaul Mofaz, wrote to the family: “Avihu was described as a brave and professional commander, who volunteered first for every mission. His commanders testify that he was an admired officer in the unit, an example of role models and inspiration. He was characterized by his sensitivity to his soldiers, and because of all this he had won their love. The Lev is pained by the death of a talented officer and a wonderful man who was one of the pillars of the unit, “wrote Major Yaniv Asor, deputy commander of the unit.” Thanks to his admired personality and his sweeping leadership, Avihu was the leader of the company. Avihu was killed in Nablus during operational activity in a manner that illuminates his personality – always at the head of his soldiers, a goat like Aryeh and a light as a deer. We will always remember his abundant kindness, the friendship and friendship that characterized him, the wonderful giving and sensitivity to his soldiers, the occupying smile and warm eyes. Avihu’s legacy, his personality, his leadership, his courage and his love for the land and the people, will be a tribute to the commanders and soldiers of the brigade. “On the 30th anniversary of his death, Merav, Avihu’s sister-in-law, Aviahu, our family, was not much different: he always ran first to help, always offered everything he had and always tried to do everything – for everyone to be good … and like a stone thrown into the river and creating circles around it – Around it are many different circles. And now we are dealing with a new and unfamiliar reality of life without him … We hope that our spirit will not break, because we are sure that Abihu would have wanted us to live, grow and grow. “The print and electronic media extensively covered the events in Nablus and many articles were published on Avihu “The directness, sincerity and truthfulness that characterized you, the courage and the ability to say everything you thought and to bear the consequences and the price, Were your hallmark. It is your determination and devotion that made you excel and lead at every stage of your military service. Avihu is first of all a person and friend who feels and sees everything, and shares decisions, secrets and stories of everyone, always found to give an answer or advice. Avihu, rest in peace, we will always remember you.”Our soldiers wrote to the naval commando unit:” … We had a lot of officers and all of them were good, but Avihu made more than one of us a cohesive team, who built values, love of the country, a lot of humanity, and what we came to – Everything is better, or in short – just move on your way. We will never forget, the Avihu team. “At the memorial ceremony marking the two-year anniversary of its fall, Michal, the brother-in-law, read:” Avihu has a good and sensitive Lev. In his special way he filled us with his love – unconditional love, time, and involvement in all the details … When I look at our family I understand what a gift Avihu gave us – and that is the togetherness. In his great love for us all, we realized how singular and unique each one was and the whole family was one whole unit. “Avihu was a man with a rare inner complexity of human love, knowledge of good and evil, and an uncompromising personal conscience. His qualities merged into a power that shone far and illuminated those around him. I lean confidently on his conscience, which I have come to know, and use it as my guide in everyday decisions. And Avihu’s way is very simple: do the deed that you know is right and right to do … do a good deed to your environment, and in one way or another the good will come back to you. Your candle Avihu is still burning. “Avihu’s fans produced a film that was broadcast on Channel 2’s Memorial Day on Channel 2, where Avihu’s relatives, friends, commanders and officers