Pervis, Gideon (Gidi)

Son of Giza and Hermann-Zvi. He was born on March 17, 1927 in Buiten, Upper Silesia, Germany. His parents, who were enthusiastic Zionists, succeeded in selling the pharmacy they owned and immigrated to Israel in 1935, after Hitler’s rise to power. The family settled in Haifa and Gideon graduated from the “Amami Aleph” school in the city. Afterward he continued his studies with honors at the “Hugim” High School. Gidon was a thirsty, intelligent urban boy who had a quick grasp and deep thought. At the same time, he demanded of himself and constantly struggled to reach perfection, to integrate thought and action. According to one of his teachers at the “Hugim” school, his words were few. His honor is inward, the words of taste and intellect were well received. He wondered a lot, especially in the last year, about the affairs of this world, and examined them in all their ways. He was not easily inclined to believe, and was not easily inclined to doubt. But there was one faith in his heart, he longed for a life of justice and equality. He demanded much of himself and struggled with himself. He never declared his talents to be greater in the eyes of others. He decided to study at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and chose the subjects of Oriental and Arabic sciences because he believed that this was the way to a life of contact and understanding with the Arab residents of Eretz Israel. In 1945 he was recruited for National Service as a guard and assigned to a guard position at the station In his letters to his parents and to his teacher, he told many stories about his experiences, the books he read, his plans, and especially his thoughts on the essence of life, and the purpose of man’s existence. On 24 Av, August 22, 1946, he fell in his service and was buried in the cemetery in Haifa. His family and teachers from the “Hugim” high school published a booklet in his memory containing the words of teachers and friends about his character, as well as letters sent by Gideon to his parents and essays written on various subjects.