Michael, Ephraim (Effie)
Son of-Batsheva and Tzadok was born on the 11th of Kislev 5718 (11.12.1957) in Jaffa. Efraim began his studies at the Rogozin High School in the biological track because the field of life attracted his Lev. From his youth Effi was a very active and playful boy, but excelled in his studies. The love of his life was the sea, and he spent much of his free time on his beach and water. Ephraim served as a lifeguard on the Tel Aviv beach for a while. Another hobby was photography, and at home there were many albums whose photographs glorified their pages. He wrote poems that attested to a sensitive and sensitive soul. When the family moved from Jaffa to Daughter of-Yam, Effi volunteered for the local Magen David Adom and served as a medic. For this activity, he was awarded the Volunteer Letter. Ephraim was drafted into the IDF in early February 1976. He completed basic training in the Golani Brigade and was later assigned to the Signal Corps. He successfully passed a wireless course and a course of communication guides and successfully completed difficult and responsible tasks. Because he was an excellent radio operator, his request to serve as a paramedic in a combat unit was rejected. At the beginning of February 1979 Ephraim was released from regular service. He enrolled in the preparatory program at Tel Aviv University to complete his matriculation exams and improve his grades in order to be admitted to the university. His strong ambition was to be accepted into the social work department, because he wanted to benefit the needy. During the course of his studies, Efraim had paid for the Perach project and, according to the reports of his co-workers and the directors of the institutions where he worked with young people who needed to be nurtured, was superior in his special attitude to the boys and the wonders he had caused in their behavior. He worked for a period of time at the International Center 18 and volunteered three times a week for the service of mental health care. Effi viewed the advancement of the backward strata of Sephardi Jews as a wish, and to this end he initiated a special project with his colleagues in the department to locate candidates from the Eastern communities living in the areas of distress, to study social work and to help their brothers in these areas. On the 17th of Adar 5745 (10.3.1985), First Sergeant Ephraim fell in battle in Lebanon during the Peace for Galilee War and was brought to eternal rest in the military cemetery in Holon. He was followed by parents, a sister and three brothers. In his letter of condolence to the bereaved family, his commander spoke about Efraim’s character, noting that “Effi was a soldier in our unit since 1979, when he completed his regular service and was attached to the reserves unit as a wireless operator. He has always played a role that demands responsibility and seriousness – and his commanders always knew that there – there would be no problems – where he was responsible. On the anniversary of his fall, an evening was held in his memory at the University of Tel Aviv
