Unger, Raphael (Rafi)

Rafael (Rafi), son of Ayala and Avraham, was born on September 11, 1947 in Tel Aviv. He completed his elementary studies at the Carmel School in Tel Aviv and later moved to the Hebrew Gymnasium Herzliya where he completed his high school studies in the literary track. His talent for writing was discovered even when he was a student in elementary school and edited the school newspaper there. After two years of study at the Gymnasium, he was elected head of the school’s student council and filled this position until the end of his studies. When he was about seventeen he was elected to the Youth Parliament and a year later he was elected mayor of the youth city. He was a member of the Young Maccabee movement and served as its guide. He was also active in the Gadna for three years, in high school, and had many hobbies, but mostly loved music and played guitar, was interested in politics and often corresponded with different people. Rafi was drafted into the IDF in early September 1965 and assigned to the Israel Air Force he completed a course in operations and in the Tzippunot course and served as a sergeant in the IDF. He was a good soldier, loyal and devoted to his job. His commanders liked and trusted him, confident that he was doing everything he had to do. In his letters of recommendation for his promotion, his commanders mention his dedication to his position, his great responsibility and his serious attitude to the important role he played in the unit. The Six-Day War went on during his regular service, and he fulfilled his duties in the war with honors. In August 1968, Rafi was discharged from regular service and assigned to reserve duty in the Israel Air Force’s press corps. While in regular service, Rafi began studying law at the Hebrew University branch in Tel Aviv, and after his release, he continued to study at the University of Jerusalem. While studying at the university, Rafi worked as a reporter for the IBA, where he was considered a reliable journalist, quick-paced, diligent and witty. When the Yom Kippur War broke out, he volunteered to serve in the front line in order to be at the center of the events and to transmit reliable information from the front line. He asked to join the commanding officer of the late Major General Mendel Mandler but was refused,On the 17th of Tishrei 5734 (October 13, 1973), while driving in the General Command’s command line in the Hagidi Junction, the vehicle was hit directly. Rafi was killed, and he was brought to rest in the military cemetery in Kiryat Shaul. After his fall, he was awarded the rank of First Sergeant,