Kanal, Avraham-Ya’akov

Was born on March 10, 1916, in Moscow, the capital of Russia, where his parents’ home was a Zionist home and his mother tongue was Hebrew, and some of his childhood and youth were spent in Wiesbaden, Germany, where his parents emigrated after the revolution Where he studied at a high school and studied in Jewish studies, where he was active among the local Jewish youth and the founder of the Betar branch. In 1933, he immigrated to Israel, completed his studies at the Herzliya Gymnasium in Tel Aviv and went to work in the Galilee, as a member of the Betar labor battalion, and from there to Netanya, where he was admitted to the Hebrew University in 1938. He studied natural sciences, And received a degree in “Humanities.” He was the Betar commander in Jerusalem and headed the Revisionist Students’ Union. With the foundation of the “People’s Movement”, which aspired to unite Revisionist elements with pioneering, he joined it. He was fanatical in his views, but friendly, and in an argument with his opponents he listened to and pondered their claims and considered his answers honestly and with respect for others. Avraham-Yaakov played a lot of sport and excelled in Jiu-jitsu. He also dealt with military problems, translated Clausewitz’s book on the basics of warfare into Hebrew, and published many articles on military questions. During his time as a student, he served as a teacher on behalf of the Vaad Leumi in Hebrew classes, and especially in the poor neighborhoods. Special satisfaction was found in the discovery of talent, cultivation and encouragement to continue their studies and expand their education. After graduating, he taught in high schools. During the summer he participated in youth camps and served as a center and instructor. In the fall of 1948 he was accepted to the teaching department of the university (Beit Hakerem) where he completed his pedagogic education, and when the War of Independence broke out, he was drafted and served in the Jerusalem Brigade and participated in the defense of Jerusalem and its surroundings. 3 Tammuz, 5708 (10.7.1948). He was buried in Sheikh Bader Aleph. On the 28th of Elul 5710 (10.9.1950) he was put to rest at the military cemetery on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem.