Sofer, Jacob (Jackie)

Jacob (Jackie), son of Katrin and Yechezkel, was born on February 2, 1950, in Baghdad, Iraq. When he was one year old, his family immigrated to Israel and lived in Jerusalem, where he spent his early childhood. When he was five years old, the family settled in Ramat Gan where he completed his studies at the “Nitzanim” elementary school. Afterward, he was accepted to the Ohel Shem High School and completed four years of study in the real track. He was an outstanding student and invested great effort in his studies. He also devoted much time and energy to sports. He was an avid sports fan, as a football and athletics player on the school team and as a spectator in most sports. Aside from sports he liked to read books and spent a long time in the municipal library in his area of ​​residence. He was loyal and dedicated to his parents, devoted his time to the rest of the family and used to visit them whenever possible. On holidays he would go with his father and grandfather to the synagogue to pray. Yaakov was drafted into the IDF in early August 1968 and volunteered for the Paratroopers Brigade, after completing basic training courses, including a course for squad commanders. His period of service was at the height of the War of Attrition and his unit suffered losses in various operations. Every year, on the anniversary of the fall of his comrades, he tried to go to their graves and visit the bereaved families of his friends. In August 1971, Jackie was released from the regular service and enrolled at the Negev University in Be’er Sheva, at the Faculty of Industrial Engineering and Management. The studies were difficult, but he made great efforts and with his will he succeeded in succeeding in his studies. He also found a job at a surveying company. He did not abandon his love for sports and in university studies he participated in soccer competitions and other sports activities. When the Yom Kippur War broke out, Jackie waited in his home for the reading order, and when he was too late to leave, he went looking for his unit in the south. After finding the unit he joined it and took part in the braking battles. Then he fought with the force that first crossed the Suez Canal to its western direction. When she was the only one in the trenches near the canal, Katyushas suddenly fell on her and Jackie was hit and killed. He was laid to rest in the military cemetery in Kiryat Shaul. Survived by his parents, brother and sister. After his fall, he was given the rank of sergeant. In a letter of condolence to the bereaved family, his commander wrote: “Your son fell in defense of the bridges of the Suez Canal … He fell in the frame of the force that conquered the bridgehead and then defended the bridges.” – Yaakov was an excellent soldier, disciplined and performed well every task. Quiet, friendly and loved by all his friends. ” To commemorate his memory, his family established a special fund for the distribution of scholarships to the needy, as well as a room and a library at the Shiba Hospital at Tel Hashomer.