Ohana, Yaakov and Shimon

Ben is empty and deserted. He was born on May 22, 1970 in Ofakim. The fourth of six brothers – brother Nissim Max, Lillian, Revital, Shuntal and David Felix. He received his education at the “Beit HaYeled” boarding school in Tel Aviv and at a vocational school in Ofakim, where he studied in the automotive mechanics course. In the family, in the neighborhood, in the school and in the army – Yaakov was accompanied everywhere by the name Koko, and the nickname suited him so well, because he was a lively and graceful man, a playful smile on his lips, friendly and welcoming to each person. Coco was a prodigious adult and during his youth, in addition to his studies, he helped greatly to support the family. He learned responsibility and took on heavy roles such as dairy management, management and sprouting. Koko felt great respect for his parents and followed the mitzvah of honoring parents with exceptional care. Both his parents were disabled, and Koko took care of all their needs and devoted his days and nights to ease their suffering. Thus, from his mother’s paralysis, he planned his daily schedule around her and placed her as a top priority. He did not reject any of the difficult tasks involved in caring for a paralyzed person, and he nursed her with devotion. Even his brothers and sisters were shielded by the shadow of his protective wings and his family, economic and health welfare was always in his mind. Upon joining the IDF, on February 15, 1989, Koko joined the General Transportation Organization. At the same time he acquired the profession of cooks and worked there until his release from regular service at the Mishmar HaNegev base. After a short time in civilian life, Koko returned to the army and joined the Air Force family. He was placed in the vehicle of the administrative squadron at the Hatzerim base, and served as a car mechanic. Koko saw his mission in the army, loved his work and saw it as a mission and a source of pride and stability. He was highly respected by his commanders and colleagues for the unit, and all praised his unique professional and social contribution. Koko was an exemplary opponent, committed to his job, and throughout his years of service he showed endless devotion and loyalty to the squad and squadron. “Koko would have responded without hesitation to any call for assistance in the middle of the night, and goes out to rescue vehicles in the center of the country,” his commander testified. Koko felt great love for his comrades in the unit, and they returned him love. His honesty, his social character, his radiant personality, his special sense of humor and his habit of joking and joking made him a social focus and a leader figure. In 1993, Koko married Revital, who chose his heart, and established a magnificent home that soon became a center of hospitality, learning and socialization for all of their many friends. Coco liked to cook and showed considerable talent and competence in this field. His wife attests that he had a wonderful husband and an exemplary father for their five children – Chen, the eldest, born on May 29, 1994, Reut, who was born on May 16, 1995, Sapir, who was born on May 6, 1996; – the youngest son, who joined the family on 11 February 2003. The birth of Avihai, after four daughters and after a long expectation, was the fulfillment of Koko’s dream. His excitement over the event knew no bounds and he wished to hear the word “father” coming out of the newborn’s mouth. Together with Revital Rekem, dreams about the children’s future, and aspired to provide them with the best possible education in order to enable them to realize their potential. Torah study was Koko’s main focus, in various settings and in the home of friends. When he fell into the opportunity to delve deeper into the subject, he did not hesitate and chose Judaism to study for a Yoreh Yoreh diploma in Beit Moriah in Be’er Sheva. Love for the Jewish world strengthened his tendency to be involved in community activity and was expressed in the synagogue where he prayed. Coco, which penetrated the souls of many, also paved the way to the hearts of those who had tradition and religion were far from them, and succeeded in bringing hearts closer. Coco has always loved music, and eastern music in the bullninth. He would always come and come at the gates of the house and the limb with a song playing in his mouth. At parties and celebrations he took the microphone and sang the time of those present. In his last years he discovered the piyyut and devoted himself to listening to the piyyutim and trying to learn to do them. Much was the happiness of Koko and his family, but the days of innocence were cut off while they were still fighting. In August 2003, Koko was told that he had cancer of a type considered especially violent. For nine long months, Coco struggled with the illness and anguish that caused him. He bravely fought, and with full confidence that he would be able to overcome and recover. In the optimism that Koko projected on his surroundings, he also hoped that the desired miracle would occur, but this did not happen. On May 13, 2004, First Sergeant Yaakov (Koko) Shimon Ohana returned his soul to his Creator, reading the Shema Yisrael. He was thirty-four years old when he fell. He was laid to rest at the military cemetery in Ofakim. He left a widow, four daughters and a son, parents, two brothers and three sisters. “You left us quickly, without time, and I did not get it … Your corridor was short, and a bit narrow and tormented … You rushed to your royal palace in Hod Alumim And you are suddenly swallowed up inside, where, in the good arms of Father in heaven, you must be happy, your suffering has subsided, gone, you will not suffer any more, but we are separated quickly, too quickly. And to tell you how much we loved you, and still love you, to tell you how much we admired how you received your sufferings, you were an example of how to appreciate every moment, a constant reminder of praying, Do not shut your eyelids back in idle peace … Your bed is not yet borne, your pure spirit still hovering over us, covered with white salutes, the right of parcels, mitzvos and rights that you have sent here, and you have not gone away. I am not the only one, each one of us – the family, the children and your colleagues at work, friends from the neighborhood, from the class, distant and close neighbors who have come close to the mitzvot with sincere concern – each of them must have already written a farewell letter in his heart. Beautiful memories and moments were created. Your joy of life, your speech full of grace and enthusiasm, the light and the beauty you discovered in everyday life and shining all around you, your sweet and delicate simplicity, conquered everyone who came into contact with you. Even your agony could not… From the tears his smile always shone. My hand, resting on your shoulder but a few days ago, is still warm. You have been in your body, the disease has exhausted your powers, but you have not been robbed of the strength of your soul-your immense spirit, your meager body can no longer contain it. Jacob, Jacob, will we not see you anymore? … It is not a eulogy, it will be better and better than me. I just wanted to say when we parted-that we would not really be separated. Your image is engraved in our hearts. Your actions, your rights are still beating us. We shall remember you in your manner, in the brightness of your face that has not faded from us. Even in a storm of pain, you earned us. Things we did not do for our souls, we did for you. We grew up thanks to you. Thousands and thousands owe you thanks. I promise you! We will not forget you, and we will not be silent – we will continue to strengthen and awaken, to tear the gates of heaven and shake the foundations of the earth until we return you to us, together with the Messiah. “She is safe and sound and will return to us, and again we will see your eternal smile shining on your lips … Your tears: Your wife and children Chen, Reut, Sapir, Linoy and Avichai.” Revital also wrote in her name and in the name of the children: “Jacob. What is said, what is being cleaned and what is counted by taking away my husband, our father, our dear brother! The apple of our eyes and a candle to the windLino. He always gladly wishes to do his will. With the abundance of light your face lit up. To all those who needed encouragement, words of wisdom and advice and resourcefulness giving, smiling and joy and great wisdom. Projection to the environment of security and faith. Despite the agony of Job that landed in your body, you had a pure purpose to ask for more for yourself, with love and supplication, “There is no other but Him” ​​- your call, and to abolish evil decrees in the heavens of Your will, in the abundance of your kindness and in the protection of your tongue You sanctified the name of God in your world, And the wonderful thing you saw showed us where the real world is, saying: ‘His skin, his skin, his sleep, have returned to the right to receive the Messiah and the resurrection of the dead. Jacob, what shall we say and tell your children five – the glory of your world that you have taken from them when your shield is changed with the purpose of loving your father like a pouring rain. To raise children as flowers, to spread their compassion for others, to love them in a way that they will never forget, including instilling faith and trust in God from above. In so little time you have had so much to do and do, to be content to create worlds, for you have corrected what you must do. Rest your soul in holiness and purity to the Lord of the Universe to enjoy the glory of the Shekhina forever and ever. With pure tears, Revital and the children who love forever … “Koko’s daughters wrote:” Our dear father! We loved him very much and always loved him. He was a father and a friend, a brother and son to each and every one, and even to those he did not know, he would always talk to him or say hello and without shame. Our father was a man of kindness and mitzvot, and even in stressful moments he always prayed and put on tefillin. Even now, when he is not with us, we still feel that he is always in our hands … “Koko’s comrades and his commanders expressed their deep pain over their loss and the space that opened in their hearts as he walked in many ways, “I would like to thank you, my dear children, for the love, listening, giving, support and understanding that you have given us throughout the entire period. … Thank you for commemorating the memory of Yaakov (Koko) who was your friend in the unit, and for dedicating him a memorial room in Geff, for the great and important investment. This is a memory for you and for you … “On the four-year anniversary of Jacob’s journey, his daughter Chen wrote:” Father, behind the smile on your face / You can not see the pain inside / Behind the laughing laughter / Hidden corner / Behind the brown eyes / , A small heart, broken and crying / smile will erase the crying / laughter will erase the sadness / But nothing will erase the memory! / My father, / I imagine you at night / From my eyes begin to drop tears / I know that your soul in heaven / Keeps us all! / Looks at your picture … / And can not believe you’re not with us. / God only asks you for one thing / Please keep my Father in Heaven forever! … // Do not believe Daddy / At such a young age / You went without going back. / Suddenly all the colors of life / turned me black … / You are now in heaven, / Somewhere far above / And I promise, my dear father, / I will never forget you. Dad? / Sometimes there are moments when I sit / alone – think of you! / The tears are already running down my face, / No one understands why in the middle of life / I sit and begin to cry. But there are lots of sentences, words, / that you would say and I remember – / Dad, I do not know and do not understand yet / God … Why does he take only the good guys?