Kleiner, Eliyahu (“Eli”)

Son of Mordechai and Salameh. He was born in 1952 in Izmir, Turkey, and immigrated to Israel with his parents in 1958. The family settled in Jaffa and studied at the “Rabbi Herzog” elementary school in the city. He excelled in his studies and was very active in the social field, and he devoted considerable energy to the activities of the Scouts movement, first as a trainee and later as a counselor. He continued his studies at the Ziv High School in Jaffa and at Ironi Alef High School in Tel Aviv. His days of vacation were devoted to trips in Israel. He found many opportunities for this – especially in the framework of his activity in Scouts. Elijah loved the sport. He was drafted into the IDF in early February 1971 and volunteered to serve in the Paratroopers Brigade, where he found a wide range of talent, energy and willingness. In the short time he served in the IDF for a year and a half, he proved to me what he could do and contribute. Afterward he also excelled in real activity against the enemy. He was attached to the unit and did not miss any opportunity to stay with his subordinates even after he was wounded. Eli was just starting out in the army. He had many other goals he wanted to achieve in his life in the army. On the 21st of Tammuz 5762 (21.6.1972), a week before leaving for the officers’ course, he fell in the line of duty and was put to rest at the military cemetery in Kiryat Shaul. He did a long way in the paratroopers, completed a course for squad commanders and fell when he was already a squad commander in the paratroopers. And loved by his soldiers and commanders. “