Omar, Gilbert
Gilbert, son of Rachma and Moshe, was born on August 14, 1942, in Colomb-Basher, Algeria. He completed his six years of elementary school and continued high school until his father died. As a student, Gilbert was full of curiosity and interest in the new worlds that opened before him, and devoted most of his spare time to reading adventure books. For many hours he would sit with his books, and sometimes he would share his experiences with his mother and brother Roget. He was also a sports fan and a wrestler. When his father died, Gilbert stopped studying and went to work to help his mother carry the burden of supporting the family. His father left behind a carpet shop, and for three years Gilbert worked in his father’s place in the shop, carrying the responsibility of his new job – and he was only about seventeen at the time. When he reached the age of twenty, he decided to immigrate to Israel with his family, and since he had never studied a profession, he worked for a variety of jobs. For a time he worked at Yoval Gad, then worked in Tnuva and in the French resort and even as a waiter. When his financial situation improved and he could invest in something safe and well-founded, he bought an electrical store in partnership with his mother, in their hometown of Ashkelon. Here too he bore most of the responsibility on his shoulders. Over time, his family grew up after marrying his friend Flora. Gilbert was drafted into the IDF in mid-April 1964, and after basic training he was assigned to the Armored Corps in the Armored Corps. As a soldier, Gilbert was very fond of his comrades in the unit, partly because he shared his friends’ lives, was Simcha with their joy and participated in their concerns, and also because he was willing to help each friend as best he could. He helped with advice and action, without bias and without feeling that he owed anything in return. Gilbert did his job without complaining, and did the work of his friends when necessary. During his service in the army, two of his children were born: his daughter Hanna was born in 1965, and his son Patrick – in 1967. In the Six Day War, Gilbert fought on the southern front and was awarded the “Six Day War” award for his participation in the battles. After being released from his regular service, he was called for periods of active reserve duty. In 1971 his youngest daughter Yael was born. Gilbert loved his children with great love. He spent many hours in his family’s lap, and after selling the shop and changing it to a kiosk on the beach, all the family would come to visit him and spend time with him. His love for the sea was great and he tried to impart this love to his children through many trips in the coastal area. There was hardly a single Sabbath devoted to the sea, and the family spent the beach from morning until sunrise. Another love, which he tried to impart to the children, was his love for animals. He tried to like animals about his children, to teach them to know them and not to be afraid of them. When the wind was on him he would play with his harmonica in front of his children. He always paid close attention to each and every one of them. The kiosk developed and began to make handsome profits, and later Gilbert could begin to build a two-story house for his family and his mother in Afridar. In the Yom Kippur War Gilbert participated in battles against the Egyptians on the Sinai front. On the 19 th of Tishrei 5740 (19.10.1973) he was killed and killed in an enemy attack on the Dever-Sawar Airport. He was brought to eternal rest in the cemetery on Mount Herzl. He left behind a wife, two daughters and a son and a mother. After his fall, he was promoted to corporal. In a letter of condolence to the bereaved family, his commander wrote: “Gilbert served in my unit and showed courage and sacrifice during the battles.” In a letter of condolences to the family, Defense Minister Moshe Dayan said: “He was an excellent soldier and a loyal friend … loved by everyone who knew him.”
