Kappnis, Jacob-Avner

Son of Roza and Israel. He was born on September 16, 1919 in Jerusalem. He is a descendant of the oldest and most well-known families of Frumkin-Capanis in Israel. At the age of seventeen, he completed his studies at the Herzliya Gymnasium in Tel Aviv, and after completing his matriculation exams he was accepted to the University of Jerusalem for mathematics and physics studies as well as to the law school. Jacob was tall, with dark blue eyes and a warm heart, a captivating smile on his lips. He had a sharp perception, and vigor and initiative were among his outstanding qualities. Yaakov was involved and active in public affairs. He was one of the founders of the “B’nai B’rith” association and served as president of its bureau in Jerusalem. He was a member of the Haganah and took an active part in his ranks between 1935 and 1939. With the publication of the first draft order from the Jewish Agency, he left his position and public service and enlisted in the British Army’s “Baps” battalion. Married a wife and graduated with honors from the officers’ school. On 18 Sivan (3.6.1942) he was killed in a car accident near Haifa while carrying out his duties. He was laid to rest in the Nahalat Yitzhak cemetery in Tel Aviv. His commanders testified that he was one of the outstanding officers and that his death caused a serious loss to “Baps.”