Sorobtsev, Maxim

Maxim, son of Olga and Gregory Sorobtsev, was born in 1984 in Ukraine. He immigrated to Israel in 2000. Maxim was a happy and indulgent child, a good student, a leader and a publicist, and he studied drama at the elementary school of art in Ukraine. At the age of ten he was orphaned of his father and his older brother stepped in to the role. He was accepted to the religious boarding school in Kfar Batya in Ra’anana, where he acquired many friends and was pleased. Maxim, affectionately nicknamed “Zipper,” dreamed of enlisting in the IDF and wanted to serve as a fighter. In July 2003 Maxim enlisted in the Israel Defense Forces and served in an infantry unit in the Nachshon Battalion. Maxim was an outstanding soldier and loved his unit. On 29 Tishrei, 25.10.2003, he fell in his service at the age of 19. Maxim was buried at the military cemetery in Kfar Sava, leaving behind a mother and brother. His Bible teacher eulogized him: “The first thing I saw about Maxim was his large blue eyes. Once, in a Bible lesson, he asked a charming question in his sleep and said, ‘You see the teacher, I am like a prophet, I can do a few things together. Sleep and listen “- and went back to sleep.” His friend wrote: “Maxim was a person with a good heart and a friend. He always helped friends and everyone loved him. I met Maxim four years ago. We spent almost the whole time together and there was never a time when I asked him for something and he did not do it. We went through trouble and joy together. I never had a good friend like Maxim in my life. Too bad you left us so early. “