Katzin, Benjamin

Binyamin (Benny), son of Miriam and Aharon, was born on May 15, 1946 in Ra’anana. He completed his elementary studies at the Yavneh State Religious School in Ra’anana. Afterward, he moved to the Moreshet religious high school in Kfar Saba and later studied at the “Torah umelaha” Yeshiva in Petah Tikva. He graduated from high school at the “Ron” High School. Benny, as his friends and family called him, was a member of the Bnei Akiva youth movement, and over time he even served as a member of the movement. He liked to be in the movement’s club, and as a child he stood out for his energy and his leadership while playing with his friends. He preferred movement over studies, but he always knew how to manage and find a balance between the Bnei Akiva activities and the studies. Whenever he wanted a certain thing, and even involved a lot of effort, he could get it by force of will and stubbornness. Benjamin was drafted into the IDF in early August 1964 and was assigned to the Armored Corps, where he learned that he had found his place and his path: There were no complaints about things he did not like: he enjoyed every moment of the army. And was sent to the officers’ training course, where he was sent to an officer’s course, and from there he went to a course for armored corps officers, during which he also took part in the Armored Corps Course and Course advanced. In early May 1967, he volunteered for regular army service and served for six years. During all his days of service, and in all the roles he filled, Benny did not forget the values he had been taught – the values of religion and morality. He did not forget the “man” in the soldier, and inquired about the wishes and problems of his subordinates, and tried to help them as best as he could. He managed to create in his unit a team atmosphere with a sympathetic approach to people and with attention to all their needs. There was an atmosphere of mutual trust between him and his subordinates, a trust based on friendship and a personal example. He was willing to devote much of his time to his soldiers. He was an excellent commander who knew his military profession in his own right. His commanders trusted him and recognized his skills. During the Six-Day War he fought in the Golan Heights, and during the War of Attrition he worked in the canal area, and was very resourceful, always in the right place at the right time. Even during periods of activity and heavy workload, he did not neglect the mitzvah of honoring the father and mother and made sure to call from anywhere to calm his worried mother. He came home at every opportunity and did not leave his parents’ house unless it was necessary. He loved his family and was proud of them, and when he came home, he used to sit down and tell the family about his experiences. He had the ability to express and know his audience, and this was one of the qualities that attracted many admirers. He loved life and tried to exploit it and enjoy every moment. So wasn’t in a hurry to get married and established a family, for he did not want to settle down yet. In 1970, he was transferred to another job and during his eight months of work, he saw a large part of Europe, America and Africa. When his job ended, he took a large trip from coast to coast in the United States. In 1972, he was chosen to study in the IDF’s Command and Staff School, and was very happy to learn about it. He planned to continue his undergraduate studies in this field, in that period of time- studying he stayed at his parents’ home, and so he spent more time with his family than during his service in field units. He was very attached to his nephews and always knew how to interest them and play with them. The family was amazed at his ability to do everything – To combine intensive and tiring studies with many Entertainment, without neglecting his friends. After the end of the school year at the Command and Headquarters School, he was sent to the Golan Heights and was appointed to the post of an officer of the Operations Branch. He did so until the Yom Kippur War broke out. In the battle that took place near Nahf on October 7, 1973, Benny was in a tank that washit and was killed by enemy fire. was buried in the cemetery in Ra’anana. He left behind his parents, 2 brothers and sister, and his family and friends wrote a Torah scroll in his memory, which is located in the synagogue that the family erected in his memory in Ra’anana and named after him “Heichal Binyamin”.