Lifshitz, Zohar (Zorko)

Son of Deborah and Israel, was born on the 20th of Tammuz 5716 (June 20, 1956) in Tel Aviv. Zohar began his studies at the Hess School in Tel Aviv. Zohar was a lover of music and poetry, and loved to travel around the country. He was sensitive, sharp in his way of thinking, and had a sense of humor. Zohar was very attached to his family. Shortly after the Yom Kippur War, in January 1974, Zohar joined the IDF and served in the Armored Corps, where he underwent basic training, and progressed step-by-step: In November 1974, Zohar underwent a tank commander course and was promoted to Corporal. In February 1975 he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant, and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant in February 1976. His commanders’ opinion was: He is an efficient officer in terms of his administrative functioning and his functioning as a commander in daily life. Zohar’s friends and commanders said that he was a special commander, and he tried to convey to his subordinates his values ​​and faith, he had a clear view of what the Land of Israel was for the people of Israel and what roles the IDF played in his life. Shortly after completing his studies at the university, the Peace for Galilee War broke out. Zohar was called to reserve duty. He went with his unit to the front in Lebanon, and was at the forefront of the force that fought against the Syrian army in the Bekaa Valley. His unit was assigned to advance rapidly towards the Beirut-Damascus highway, and Zohar advanced at the head of his platoon to the area of ​​Sultan Ya’akov. On 20 Sivan, June 11, 1982, Syrian forces attacked two tanks in the movement, and under pressure from the Syrian forces, the IDF forces were forced to withdraw, and the two damaged tanks remained in enemy territory. For more than a year and a half, Zohar was considered missing. On 1 Tishrei 5744, the Red Cross identified him in Syria. When the prisoners were exchanged with Syria, Zohar was returned to Israel and laid to rest at the military cemetery in Holon. He was 26 years old when he died. He left behind a wife, parents, brother and sister. After being buried in the homeland, he was promoted to captain. Defense Minister Moshe Arens wrote in a letter of condolence to his family: “Captain Zohar Lifschitz gave his life for his homeland, he was a brave soldier, an excellent commander and a model friend.”