Ben Yonit and Mordechai. He was born on the eve of Hanukkah, December 12, 1979 in Kibbutz Snir. A younger brother to Assaf and a graduate of Meirav. Omri studied at the Lev HaEmek Elementary School in Kibbutz Neot Mordechai and at the Har V’Gai High School in Kibbutz Dafna. Omri grew up on the kibbutz and was active and curious. He liked to travel very much and spent many hours along the Banias stream that flows near the kibbutz. He knew and loved every path and every stream in the immediate and distant surroundings. From an early age, he discovered a special talent in painting and graphics, liked to work in wood, in material, to design and create at every opportunity and in a variety of materials. Omri played with a brass instrument. In fourth grade he began to play the recorder, and after a year went to play the clarinet, and in the ninth grade he joined the saxophone, which he loved very much. The saxophone was his friend, he played every hour of the day when he was happy, angry or just like that. In the sixth grade, he joined Hashomer Hatzair as a continuation of the family tradition, and since then the movement has become a way of life. Omri believed that the way of movement education can impart values of love of man and help others, love of the land and the ability to give and not just accept. As usual, he was very active, tutoring students at the ‘Einot Yarden’ in the Upper Galilee, and in a year of service at the Ben-Gurion campus in Holon. Omri took responsibility for the field. During his youth, scouting was the peak of movement activity, through the challenge in this area, the solution to which was personal and group coping and creative thinking, and expressed his abilities and talents. He joined the Wandering Circle, joined the “Wanderers Circle”, toured all over the country, and especially liked challenging activity, a complex type or a drop in rappelling. At every spare moment he would board his vehicle: a bicycle, a motorcycle, an ATV, or a jeep and set out to conquer another trail. Omri is one of those who always take the lead in order to succeed. It was motivated by the need to examine the stamina and the threshold. He has coped with challenges, including field trips, bicycling, climbing or any effort, always to the limit, on the edge of danger, when the motto is victory, success. At the end of the service year, Omri fought to raise his military profile in order to join the IDF in full combat capacity, and he writes to his friend: “We live only once, and if we do not exploit them, they will pass without us paying attention. And life is not spilled milk. Therefore, if we know how to exploit ourselves in the existential social system, we will benefit … I ask myself: Who am I, who is Omri? (I do not think there’s anyone who really knows me like I do-why?) / What do I want from myself /? fulfill/! in what/? What do I want from my friends? Are they really my friends? The real Omri /? I want friends at all? I want contact /? I want to live? Obviously/! Why/? These are the questions I ask myself … “Omri enlisted in the IDF in August 1999 and served as a combat soldier in the Basalt battalion of the Nahal Brigade, completing his basic training as a departmental excerpt and advanced training as a company leader. In the operational situation in Lebanon and in the period of withdrawal, Omri took part in the company’s ambush team that operated in the security zone, and recently, in the ongoing conflict in the territories, even commanded operational missions, and was described by his commanders as an “outstanding soldier” From the first degree, a man and warrior with values and love of the land. His strength and knowledge of every task he took part in brought about his prominence as an outstanding company commander and commander of operational missions. Omri was quiet, charismatic, a man of very high personal values. Of the few who make routes and not just walk in them. “The IDF strongly urged Omri to embark on a commanding course, but after much deliberation, he chose to lead the group to dismantle an educational mission in Kiryat Shmona: “Knowing that I am leaving after a military career, And I am ready to sweat, to suffer and to exert myself no less than if I had remained in the army. It is important for me to do, that is, to do important things, and not to give ourselves up in the face of important and difficult tasks. “It’s not a year of freedom and I do not want to evade the army,” says Arthur, a member of the company. What his dilemma is, and I will never forget it, he wanted to choose the best way he could influence and help the young and the young, as a guide in the movement he could have a great influence on people’s lives and help them in many ways. Such ideals reflect the ultimate good in this world. ” Omri began contacts with public figures, military officials and activists in the movement, and on his way convinced and drifted toward the target. He did not finish this task. In October 2000, during an operational activity in the territories, Omri was chosen to represent the Nahal Brigade in the IDF combat championship. In a 5,000 meter run to compete, Omri collapsed from a heat stroke and fell. He struggled for five days. On Simchat Torah, on 21 October 2000, Omri died and he was twenty-one years old. Omri was buried in the cemetery in Kibbutz Snir. Survived by his parents, brother and sister. Roi, his friend, writes: “I have always believed that life is not measured by their length, but by the way they live, and you who have always done exactly what you wanted, what you thought was right. You have lived a full and fulfilling life as long as possible in twenty-one years, and I am happy about that and admire you so much. ” To Omri’s memory, his family published two books: “Scouting as a Way” – a guide to practical scouting – a field that Omri loved and engaged in all his youth, and “to the end – letters from him, to him and after him.” A collection of letters including Omri’s correspondence with his friends, Thoughts, thoughts, opinions and doubts. In addition, Omri is commemorated at the memorial site of the Nahal Brigade.
