Son of Sarah and David, was born in Jerusalem on May 31, 1957. Yossi began his studies at the Geulim Aleph Elementary School, and when he was 11 years old, he joined the Hapoel Association in Jerusalem After graduating from elementary school, Yossi moved to Ort HaNevi’im, where he completed his studies in electronics and computers, and was sent to the Wingate Institute for advanced courses and participated in gymnastics competitions, in which he represented with honor Yossi was a member of the “Youth for Youth” organization, first as an apprentice and later as a counselor and coordinator of the organization. Social and sports activities, and organized trips for them in the framework of the Gadna in the school and the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel. He regularly participated in folk dancing, and when he moved to Hebrew University, he danced in the student dance company. Yossi excelled in swimming, and took a certified lifeguard course. He specialized in various swimming styles, and practiced spectacular jumps from high jumps into the water. Yossi loved photography, a hobby he specialized in, and became a professional photographer. He could tell about life and his experiences through the camera lens. In his estate there remains a collection of albums filled with Yaffa pictures. He especially liked to photograph landscapes, sunsets, sea, green fields. The photograph became part of his soul as part of the love of the land and his love of traveling in Merhavia. His pictures decorate the walls of the Youth and Sports Department of the Jerusalem Municipality. He played guitar well from the songs of the country and folk songs. Yossi would sing and accompany himself on the guitar. He had a delicate sense of humor, and with his varied skills in the many fields he dealt with, he acquired the love of friends and friends, his peers and apprentices. In August 1975, Yossi enlisted in the IDF and served in the Golani Brigade, but as a graduate of a vocational school in electronics, he was transferred to the Signal Corps and served in an armored corps unit. In January 1978, he rose to the rank of sergeant. After completing his regular service, Yossi was appointed coordinator of “Youth for Youth” in Jerusalem in the evening. During the day he worked as a photographer in a photography shop. From the year 1979, Yossi worked as a physical education teacher at the Givat Shapira school on French Hill. In 1981 he was sent by the Jewish Agency to the United States to educate Jewish youth there. When he returned to Israel, Yossi enrolled at the Hebrew University, in political science and international relations. He continued to work as a gym teacher and a professional photographer. In 1982, his cousins in the United States offered to come to them and study there in the management of a family business. He left all his business and went to them. A month later he returned to Israel. Yossi preferred life in Israel to his family and friends. On Saturday night, June 5, 1982, his friends prepared a surprise party for his birthday, marking his 25th birthday. In the middle of the party he received a summons to report to his unit. The Peace for Galilee War broke out. He left the party and hurried to his unit. On the 22nd of Sivan 5742 (13.6.1982), when he and his unit were at the outskirts of Sidon in Lebanon, he encountered a squad of terrorists. Yossi was shot and killed. He was 25 years old when he died. He was laid to rest in the cemetery on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem. Yossi left behind his parents, two brothers and a sister. Defense Minister Ariel Sharon wrote to his family: “Yosef was a dedicated soldier, responsible, disciplined and loved by all.” The commander of his unit wrote: “As always, yes, at his death, Yossi did more than he could. When the unit settled in an olive grove, on the side of the road leading to the neighborhood north of Sidon, he proceeded on his own initiative with his friend to make sureThat the surrounding environment was not in danger. From the hiding place the murderer’s hand reached him and as a hero fell with his weapon while trying to respond to his assailants. We accompanied him for three years, since he was assigned to the unit upon his discharge from regular service. He was always present. He did not miss training, exercises, and current occupations. Always with the smile and high spirits, gives a broad shoulder to the individual effort and does his work in handling the equipment, issuing it, storing it – with the faith and dedication of a person who recognizes the value of his work in the formative relationship. Beloved and beloved of his friends played an important part in the life of the unit. “In his memory, a booklet appeared, in which his family and friends raised his profile, and in the Givat Shapira school where he taught, a sports hall was named after him.
