Lavi (Lubochinsky), Yehezkel (Hezi)

Son of Yosef and Yocheved. He was born on November 11, 1924 in Lodz, Poland. From a young age, he grew up and was educated in a Zionist and Hebrew atmosphere. He studied at the Dr. Broide School and later at the “Yavne” Gymnasium and immigrated to Israel in 1935. He completed his studies at the Nes Tziona Elementary School and later studied at the “Haskalah” Gymnasium. And was a member of the Haganah. In 1942, he left the study bench and was appointed to the rank of second-sergeant in the Nehalal bloc, February 1948) and took part in various defensive operations as a company commander, and was injured several times in the war, and was transferred to the military government until 1951. In the IDF he attained the rank of major. On the 26th of Adar 5761 (April 3, 1951) he fell in the line of duty and was put to rest at the military cemetery in Nahalat Yitzhak. He left behind his wife – in her pregnancy – and four months later his daughter was born. The IDF Chief of Staff Tzvi Tzur expressed his appreciation for Hazi. Among other things, he wrote these lines: “Hezi was among the many who volunteered for the security needs of the state, Among the few who had volunteered was not only a supreme order from the outside but also a personal necessity, from within. Perhaps that is why he knew how to raise the burden of responsibility in good spirits at all times and to draw the burden of security with a willing soul. Both during the establishment of the fighting force and in the battles of the War of Independence he always served as a personal example – and he even acted as commander of his unit. Because Hezi was a superior leader, familiar with his many duties and knows the limit of his rights. He was a loyal friend, gave more than he received and was glad to be given. He was a whole person, he recognized the value of himself and the poor, recognized the value of others and respected them as their value. “