Novgovker, Eliahu (Eli)

Eliahu (Eli), son of Miriam and Jacob, was born on July 10, 1948, in Bombay, India, and immigrated to Israel with his family in 1970. He attended primary school and high school in his hometown. After settling in Israel, he learned Hebrew in Kibbutz Ein Shemer, where he worked in his profession – an electrician. Eliahu was a diligent student and excelled mainly in the real professions. He was a member of the Bnei Akiva youth movement in India and was a member of the movement’s drama department and participated as an actor in the plays. He was a sports fan and was enthusiastic about football and cricket. A lot of work was done on his hobby – gathering phrases and poems from Indian folklore and translating them into English. Eliyahu was serious about his approach to life, humble, and self-contained, withdrawn and a bit shy as if he were afraid to show his feelings outwardly. His friends were few, but they loved him very much for being lenient, peace-loving and always willing to help others. By nature, he loved simplicity, he was happy and generous. For people who could not afford to pay, he did free jobs. He was a loyal son and devoted to his parents, helped them and treated them with respect and consideration.
Eliyahu was drafted into the IDF in July 1972 and assigned to the Artillery Corps. After basic training, he took a course in moving artillery. He was a good soldier, responsible and dedicated to his job. His teammates loved him and appreciated his generosity and good humor, and his commanders liked him and saw him as a good, obedient soldier. All his days in the army he had tried not to worry his parents, often to write letters to the house, and to do everything in his power to dispel fears. When the Yom Kippur War broke out, his unit was sent to fight on the Golan Heights front. On the 11th of Tishrei 5734 (11.10.1973), Eli drove to his unit. Enemy planes hit an ammunition truck that was driving alongside him, and a piece of ammunition exploded in his head and he was killed on the spot. He was brought to eternal rest in the cemetery in Nahariya. Survived by his parents, three brothers and a sister. After his fall, he was promoted to corporal. In the “Yad” magazien, published by the Indian Society, an article was published about his character.