Neuman, Uriel (Uri)

The eldest son of Miriam and Yirmiyahu (Oskar) was born on July 27, 1924 in the city of Bratislava, Czechoslovakia. His parents were Zionists and he was raised from his childhood for life in Palestine. He was keen on scouting and sports. A few days before the outbreak of World War II, on August 28, 1939, Uri arrived in Israel with an immigrant youth group that was accepted as a youth member of Kibbutz Sha’ar Hagolan, and later moved to Kibbutz Ein Shemer. Thanks to his training in the movement and at home, he soon adapted to the conditions of the country and the life of the kibbutz. As part of the Hagana training, he served as a liaison and was later sent to a commanders’ course. After completing his training period, he was accepted as a member of Kibbutz Sha’ar Hagolan and devoted himself to training at the Hashomer Hatzair branch in his kibbutz. In 1945 he joined the Nutrim and served in Sha’ar Hagolan and Kibbutz Afikim in the role of Corporal Notrim. In 1946, the rest of the family immigrated to Israel. At the beginning of the War of Independence, Levi was escorted by a convoy from the Jordan Valley and was wounded during an exchange of fire near the Moshav Beit Yosef. On the last day of his life, during his father’s visit to the hospital, he was the only concern for the battle and for the safety of his comrades. On the 11th of Tevet 5708 (23.12.1947) he died of his wounds and was brought to eternal rest in the Sha’ar Hagolan cemetery. His kibbutz issued a small file in his memory, including the words of many of his students who remember their guide for the better.