Sirotinski, Avraham (Aronchik)

Ben-Nechama and Zalman was born on 19.7.1913 in the suburb of Moskovsky, in 1933 he immigrated to Eretz Israel and joined the “Hashomer Hatzair” kibbutz from Masasar. He was one of the first immigrants to Afikim and took part in the building works.On the 17th of Nisan 5708 (May 6, 1948), the Golani force took control of the village of Arab a-Zbeih near Beit Keshet, took control of it and blew up some of its houses. The organization of the force for withdrawal was delayed, and in the process the Arabs launched a counterattack. Many of the force fighters fell in the harsh retreat. Arunchik was hurt in the Lev and fell with the Bren gun in his hands. And in his last moments he wished to give regards to his wife and daughter (whose picture he carried with him in every battle) and urged the fighters to withdraw. His friends took him with them, but the enemy was already approaching 150 meters and Arunchik asked them to leave. He was laid to rest at the cemetery in Afikim. His memory was included in the collection “Ten,” which was published by Kibbutz Afikim in memory of his fallen comrades.