Komami, Yehuda

Yehuda, son of Naomi and Yehiya, was born on the 22nd of Sivan 5715 (12.6.1955) in Petach Tikva. He grew up in this city, where he studied at the religious state school and continued at the “Amal” vocational school. He graduated successfully and was qualified as an electrician. Yehuda was a smiling and cheerful child, loved by everyone he knew. Few could resist his smile and kindness, which was reflected in his eyes. He loved to be with people and loved to help them. He was always busy with something but never said “I do not have time” for a man who came to ask for his help. His friends knew that Yehuda could be trusted because he knew how to listen to them when they told him about difficulties and hardships. People had full faith in him, knowing that he was a true friend, in trouble and in joy. Yehuda was a dedicated and loyal son to his family, the children’s children, he was very meticulous in fulfilling the mitzvah of honoring father and mother and was a wonderful friend to his brothers and sisters. At school he was a gifted and diligent student, who gave his parents much satisfaction in his behavior and achievements. His teachers respected him and praised him, both as a student and as a human being. He was able to create close ties with many of his classmates. They were pleasant with him and they loved to spend hours with him. Together with them, he was a regular member of the Petach Tikva youth club. He participated in activities, parties and other events and was always the center and the spirit of the company. Together with his friends, he went on trips around the country. Thus, the concept of “love of the land” became something real, acquired through “the feet”, on new paths and in beautiful places. He visited the club almost every day, organizing various games and mainly liked to sit with some of his friends on the music corner and listen to different songs. He loved music so much that he could sit for hours on end with his ear pressed against the radio or gramophone. In this field he was not picky and liked to hear music of various kinds. The sounds were magical and he was willing to give up any other activity to sit and listen. Yehuda also loved sports, both as a passive football player and as an active participant in games, the neighborhood and the club. He also loved swimming in the sea and swimming. During the summer vacation he spent most of his time on the beach, playing games and swimming. He was an excellent swimmer and surprised his friends with his courage and absolute control over styles of swimming. After graduating from the vocational school and acquiring knowledge in the profession of electricity, he decided to use the time he had left until he was recruited to work, gain experience and collect a little pocket money, which he would need during his service. Yehuda was drafted into the IDF at the beginning of August 1973, two and a half months before the outbreak of the Yom Kippur War, and was assigned to the Armored Corps. In the Yom Kippur War, Yehuda participated with his unit in the battles of the containment in the Sinai, and later took part in the battles to break through the Suez Canal. On 25 Kislev 5734 (December 20, 1973), not far from the Adabiya Fertilizer Plant near the city of Suez, Yehuda was hit by a hand grenade explosion and died. He was buried in Petach Tikva’s cemetery and left behind his parents, three sisters and three brothers, and his parents and family members donated a charity box to the neighborhood synagogue in Petach Tikva.