Son of Shlomit and Sidna. He was born on 20 July 1976 in Kibbutz Nir Am. The eldest son of his parents, his mother born in the kibbutz and his Moroccan-born father. A handsome boy, blond hair and green eyes, naughty, very curious and friendly. Assaf grew up and grew up in Kibbutz Nir Am, in the “Tut” group. He studied at the Shaar Hanegev Joint Education Center from the first grade to the twelfth grade with honors, a polite, modest, responsible, defense of his friends to teachers, a sense of humor and excellent expression, a good friend who is always there for everyone. “My dear Assaf, you have great qualities like leadership, honesty, grace and talent, and with great sensitivity … I definitely expect greatness …” “He said. Assaf was deeply connected to all his family. From an early age, he liked to work with his grandfather in the cattle herd industry and spent many hours with the herd in pastures around the kibbutz. Assaf was involved in sports in the fields of light athletics, soccer and basketball, and was also part of the Hapoel Shaar Hanegev basketball team – youth and adults. For three years, a deep friendship developed between Assaf and his girlfriend, Helena, a Swedish volunteer, and the two went on a joint trip before enlisting. At the beginning of December 1994, he enlisted in the IDF and served in the Nahal Brigade, where he went to Lebanon three times, where he lost several of his friends. During his stay at the “pumpkin” post he served as a corporal, and according to the soldiers and commanders of the unit, he excelled in a paternal relationship with his comrades. On the evening of 28 February 1997, the helicopter disaster occurred when two Yasur helicopters collided over Moshav Shear Yashuv. The seventy-three fighters, who made their way to operational activity in Lebanon, were killed, including Assaf. He was laid to rest in the military section of Kibbutz Nir Am cemetery. He was twenty-seven months old when he fell. Survived by parents, brother – Yuval and sister Dafna. His family commemorated Assaf in a festive soccer game held every year on his birthday, at the end of which a trophy is awarded to the winning team. The film “Remembering Assaf” was also produced, which describes his character against the background of the kibbutz landscape, and accompanies Assaf from his childhood until his enlistment in the army and service in Lebanon. And an observation post was erected in his memory overlooking the grazing fields, where he collected the cattle herd of the farm. Chief of Staff Amnon Lipkin-Shahak wrote in a letter of condolence to the bereaved family: “Assaf, of blessed memory, served as a company sergeant in the engineering division of the Nahal Brigade, and was described by his commanders as a responsible and dedicated soldier who aspired to perfection in every task he was assigned. To help and help at all times, to establish a unique relationship with those around him and to be loved and accepted by his commanders and friends alike. ” Capt. Yair Barkat, the commander of the unit where Assaf served, wrote to the family: “Assaf was a company sergeant, and every problem he was always in was able to provide the best and quickest solution.” Assaf was a favorite of his teammates Assaf will be missing us as a fighter and as a man. ” “The strong, strong Assaf, for whom the mage is a gun, the pain – an incentive and adrenaline for more, and no physical difficulty, effort or load is a limit to him and will not erase the miraculous smile,” said Oz Gavish, Assaf’s commander from basic training and his friend at the ceremony marking the thirtieth anniversary of his fall. Asaf, the friend, whose friendship to his brother in our team is clearly a sergeant, deserves to be educated on his knees, Assaf, the humor and the lively laugh. Assaf, daring, if not to say – the characteristic Sabra chutzpah”Dudu, David Ilan, wrote about Assaf after his death:” These seven days of mourning allowed us to discover what you were concerned about with modesty that is typical of concealment. The hidden talent, the strength, the sensitivity, the kindness, the care, the wit, the warmth, and above all the thirst and the love for life … You always knew how to get out of the worst situations, always trust you, everyone loved you and you knew how to love. ” “On that cold / dark, dark and bitter night, when the preparations were completed / the doors were lifted, you must have smiled at the steel hat or the cold protective vest,” he said, “but this time you whispered ‘I’ll overcome’ / As your password in crisis. / Seconds pass, thoughts run, / on a father, on friends / on brother and sister / on a house and not just on it. / A huge explosion, diving into the abyss / the percentage of flames and heat / you with your friends Bisher, somewhere / machine and oil and above man … “(This page is part of the Yizkor memorial project, held by the Ministry of Defense)
