Luria, Yaron (Heschel)

He was the eldest of Simcha and Shmuel, the sixth generation in Israel. He was born on March 21, 1962 in Jerusalem. Yaron studied at the “Szold” elementary school and graduated from Lifta High School – both in Jerusalem. Yaron advocated the coexistence of Jews and Arabs and was a member of the Gypsy group, in which Jews and Arabs played together in both languages ​​in Arab villages. Yaron showed talent for acting and sculpture. He left behind precise and polished sculptural works in which the small details stand out, even though he has never studied sculpture. He often carved an olive tree and created marvelous works. After his military service, he intended to study at the Beit Zvi School of Acting in Ramat Gan and then go to the United States to study films. Yaron loved Jerusalem very much for its magical past and enchanted present. The scent of the city, the smell of alleyways, and especially the blossoming jasmine charmed him. He also loved archeology and took part in the excavations in Forn. Yaron pursued peace and hated war and respected every religion and every person. He was a proud young man, intelligent, stubborn, a warrior and a true friend. Yaron was drafted into the IDF at the end of 1980 and volunteered for the Golani Brigade, where he was awarded the rank of sergeant and served as a sergeant. With the outbreak of the Peace for Galilee War, he went with his brigade to Lebanon and participated with his soldiers throughout the campaign until he reached the outskirts of Beirut. After the department commander was wounded, Yaron successfully took his place for about three weeks. He proved excellent leadership ability and excelled as a clear shot and did not miss. Yaron fought in the Peace for Galilee War for two consecutive months. On 15 Av (4.8.1982), on the first morning watch, Sgt. Yaron fell in Burj al-Barajna in Operation Peace for the Galilee and was laid to rest at the military cemetery on Mount Herzl. He was 20 years old. Survived by his parents, two brothers and a sister. In a letter of condolence to the family, the defense minister wrote “He was a devoted and responsible soldier who led soldiers to battle with courage and confidence, while fighting hard in a built-up area.” His commander wrote “Your son served in my unit and served as the sergeant of the platoon, and he was in close contact with his commanders and subordinates … He was very kind to all those around him and was a disciplined commander … I would like to mention the example that your son served to his soldiers at all stages of his service.”