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Mizrahi, Yaakov (Kobi)

Mizrahi, Yaakov (Kobi)


The youngest son of Rebecca and Joseph. Was born in Jerusalem on October 30, 1983, at Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital. Kobi was orphaned from his father at a young age and most of his life grew without a father. He was a special child in character and beauty, showed independence and responsibility early in his life and even went to work parallel to his studies. Kobi was characterized by the fact that wherever he touched he succeeded. However, he maintained modesty and did not boast about his achievements. Kobi spent his childhood in Givat Ze’ev, near Jerusalem, and was able to attend first grade at the elementary school. When he reached second grade his family moved to Moshav Mata in the Jerusalem corridor, near Beit Shemesh. Kobi loved the moshav and discovered his love for the land, which was later translated into the love of the homeland. He studied at the agricultural school in Ein Karem – first at Ein Harim Elementary School and later in the junior high and high school. His unique and sensitive character can be gleaned from a moving letter he wrote to his teacher at the end of 12th grade: “… I think this is the first opportunity to thank you personally and sincerely! Thousands of words can not describe my sincere appreciation to you. … I was a father to me, an educator and an admired figure. I thank you for your support, your loyalty, your forgiveness and your great help throughout the three beautiful years. Hoping to meet people like you on my way. All the subjects you have taught me do not come to any extent to what you really taught me and that is – to be respected, and especially to respect! Thanking and loving from the bottom of my heart. “Kobi, who saw great success in his studies, continued to the 13th grade at the Technological College of Practical Engineers in Gan Yavneh. His family encouraged him to continue for another school year, but Kobi felt he was not exhausting himself and was afraid that if he continued on this track, he would not be accepted into a combat unit where he wanted to serve. As much as possible, “says Haim, his cousin and close friend. Kobi’s determination and dedication to the goal he set himself, and despite his mother’s refusal to sign the necessary documents, he announced: “… I am going to the end and nothing will stop me.” When he enlisted in the IDF in March 2002, he tried to enlist in the Paratroopers Brigade, and when he did not succeed, he was transferred to the Givati ​​Brigade, where he was assigned to the Shimshon Foxes unit, and was not happy and proud of him when he finished the beret and received from his commanders the purple beret . Kobi, who stood out in his special charisma, soon became the mainstay of the team. He was full of joie de vivre, loved his friends, and they returned him love. His anxious mother was reassured by saying, “Do not worry, Mom, I’m a man in men,” and his confident gaze left no room for doubt. Kobi won the assessment of the commanders and friends and all predicted a great future for him in the army. One of his commanders said that at moments when it was difficult for everyone, Kobi would “give a roar” and raise his morale. “He could not see sadness or weakness,” says the commander, adding: “Kobi was above him … smiling at everyone, he was never seen sad.” During his service, he received a badge of appreciation for the platoon commander’s cap, but because he was so modest, he did not tell this to his friends, and they heard about it only after his death. When Kobi used to say “good to die for our country,” he meant every word. For him, it was not a cliche but the truth. Kobi sewed the Israeli flag in his vest, and in his wallet were the anthem of the state and the anthem “Givati” and in his hand he painted the symbol of the unit he loved so much. Three weeks before his fall, on the Independence Day of the State of Israel, his unit received an honorable mention from the Chief of General Staff for its activity against terrorism in the Gaza Strip, and Kobi managed to serve Natanela for a year and two months.There were many hands. Kobi was a leading candidate for a commanding course at the end of the course, but did not manage to pass the few steps he had left on his way to fulfill his dream of being a commander. On the 11th of May 2004, Sgt. Kobi Mizrachi fell in battle in the Gaza Strip at the age of 20. He left with five other members of the reconnaissance battalion for the task of locating and detonating lathes for the manufacture of Qassam rockets and mortar shells. Morning, as they made their way out of Gaza’s Zeitoun neighborhood, their APC boarded a 100-kilogram cargo. The powerful cargo was activated and the armored personnel carrier, which was loaded with explosives, exploded into a cloud of fire, spreading over 300 meters and all six residents were killed, and the bodies’ Kobi’s body was found, buried and buried at the military cemetery on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem, where he left a mother, three sisters – Etti, Maya and Hagit, and two brothers – Michael and Nathan – Rabbi Sergeant Aviad Deri, Sergeant Yaakov Marvitza, Sergeant Eitan Newman and Sergeant Adron Amar, and the family of Kobi commemorates his memory in Psalms Rinat David “, in a Torah scroll that was written in his memory and serves as the synagogue of the moshav where he lived and in various mementos, and every year on the day of his fall, the family organizes a soccer tournament in Moshav Mata, “One of the friends:” Kobi, my brother, after almost half a year I still do not digest what happened to you. … On this day a big hole in my heart opened up in me, which will never be sealed. Your absence hurts me and will continue to hurt to the end. … I always think of what you would do or say in certain situations. … Every soldier I see during my service will educate him according to the same values ​​and thoughts that you had, in light of your behavior and ideology. That’s how many soldiers like you will be. … I love you, Kobi, the love of a brother, and I want at least one more time to hug you … “.

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