Son of Shimon and Tzila. Was born on the day the State of Israel was proclaimed, the fifth of Iyar, May 14,1948, in Cyprus. His parents were discovered, because of their “illegal immigration”, and Yaakov, being an eight month old, was allowed to come to Israel. After graduating from elementary school, he studied at the Asher High School, in Be’er Sheva, and continued to excel in his studies. In school, he would sit in class in a characteristic posture, and be attentive to the teacher’s words. He rarely participated in the debates, but when he made a fact, it was possible to rely on him. He would find time to devote to sports, and participated in many competitions. But when he was wounded in the head, he stopped playing sports. Since then, he was busy playing the harmonica and the flute. He also participated in folk dancing, and also in all kinds of first aid courses. He also liked to fix transistors, though he had no knowledge of the installation of the device, and its repair. He also enjoyed taking pictures. When he was twenty years old, he was invited to the President’s residence, together with all the children, on the day of the establishment of the State, with the members of the First Knesset. They were given medals, and the entire audience was photographed together. He was drafted in the IDF, and was recruited, in February 1967. In the middle of his army service, his vehicle rode on a landmine, in the Be’er area. He fell during the performance of his duties, on the 18th of Shevat, February 6, 1969, after four days of suffering. He was laid to rest in the cemetery in Be’er Sheva. The commander of the unit wrote in a letter of condolence to his bereaved parents, among other things: “As Yaakov’s commander, I find it necessary to describe his courage, his exemplary dignified behavior, and his bravery and courage when disaster overtook him. In his life, too, he served as a fine example of a courageous warrior. He did not pay attention to the difficult and arduous conditions that accompanied him during his entire service, and fulfilled his duties in the best possible way … The sacrifice of your son is another step in fortifying the wall of the Jewish people’s protection in his country.” On the eve of the same year, an urban high school in the Arava, memorialized the memory of the three radio operators, Yaakov Reinzelber, Gad-Alexander Rosenthal and Ofer Tishbi, who fell while performing their duties in the Arava. A memorial booklet named “Afikim B’Negev” was dedicated in his memory.
