Tzioni, Shalom

He was born in 1947 in Yemen and immigrated to Israel with his family when he was three years old in 1950. He studied at Keshet Elementary School in the Katamonim neighborhood of Jerusalem. A year at the “Adafah” high school and the following year at Geva High School Shalom was orphaned from his father when he was six months old, and since then he lived in Jerusalem and was not separated from her in his life and death. The love for his city burned like a fire, and he caught up with the rest of the family, too, and he was a diligent and diligent student who excelled in all fields of study. Although many years have passed since he was a student, many still remember him with affection and warm appreciation, because his wit and vitality became easy for a leader in his company, and was accepted by most of his classmates. Outside, Shalom was enthusiastic and enthusiastic, and though he was a great mischievous teacher, his teachers refrained from punishing him for his pranks, and he could not resist his good smile and his love of humanity. He never put his own needs first. He always took care of others first and only then turned to satisfy his needs as well. He also made sure to observe the mitzvah of honoring one’s father and mother with joy and pleasure, and since he was an orphan, he made every effort to be careful when it came to his mother. After leaving school, he began working in the diamond industry, and since he had good eyes and quick and precise hands, he worked very hard in his work. Shalom was drafted into the IDF in early August 1965 and assigned to the Armored Corps. After basic training, he was sent to the Armored Corps course and completed his studies as a liaison. His commanders regarded him as a dedicated and loyal soldier, who fulfilled his duty without any fault. Shalom loved the tank and was fascinated by the steel, which had so much power in it. He dealt with the tank and its systems with utmost care and patience, and did not place a corner that did not examine it. His commanders were impressed by his abilities and dedication and sent him to a tank commanders course, and after completing the course successfully, he was awarded the rank of sergeant. During the Six-Day War he participated in battles against the Egyptians in the central sector of the Sinai, on the Rafah-Bir-Gafgafa axis. Twice during the battles, he miraculously escaped death when he rescued himself from burning tanks. At the end of his regular service, he married Yona nee Sarf after six years of acquaintance. During their lifetime, they had three children, the youngest of whom was born at the height of the Yom Kippur War. Even after setting up a home of his own, he made sure to take care of his mother. Yona, his wife, told how he sat by his mother for hours on end and spent nights and nights in a bed with a paralysis that kept her in bed for a long time. All brought her speedy recovery to the credit of the devoted and loyal peace. During the war, Shalom took part in the brutal fighting that took place along the Suez Canal. His unit was sent to greet the Egyptian attacks in the eastern sector near the Firdan Bridge, where one of the most bitter battles the IDF had known during this war took place: On October 8, 1973, his tank was hit by a direct hit and went up in flames. Only seven months later, his body was returned and he was brought to eternal rest in the military cemetery on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem, leaving behind a wife, two sons and a daughter, a mother, a brother and a sister.