Kobry, Gedalyahu

Gedalyahu, son of Esther and Chaim-Yirmiyahu, was born on June 19, 1954, in Sato-Mara, Romania, and immigrated to Israel with his family in 1961. He studied at the elementary schools of Uziel, Sinai and Shapir in Ashkelon, and then completed his studies at the Rogozin High School in Ashkelon. He was an outstanding student and served as an example for his friends, even though he was not a “bookworm”. He always helped his friends, gave them access to his notebooks and books, and even patiently explained to them whenever they had trouble understanding the material. He was an active member of Bnei Akiva and was also a sports fan. He had a collection of books and he liked to read literature and poetry. It was especially beloved by the poet Bialik. Sometimes he was caught as a prankster and used to entertain his friends with tricks and imitations. He was active in the society, was elected to the student committee on behalf of his class and was involved in public affairs and accepted everything. By nature, he was alert, self-confident and strong-willed, clever and witty. He was a loyal and devoted son to his parents and very attached to his twin brother. Gedalyahu was drafted into the IDF in early 1972 and volunteered for a divers unit, and after completing his training course, he was transferred to the Armored Corps and took part in a course for APC drivers and a course for squadrons. He was a dedicated soldier and a courageous fighter, admired by his commanders and comrades in arms, and his friend wrote: “He had an ambition, motivation and extraordinary leadership ability, a patriot and an idealist … He symbolized our strength, organization and order.” Not to worry his parents and his beloved girlfriend, who was about to become engaged to him when the war broke out, he fought with his unit in the Yom Kippur War. On 19.10.1973, his unit took part in a raid on the West Bank of the Suez Canal, during which he was hit by shrapnel and died of his wounds, and was brought to eternal rest in the Ashqelon cemetery.