Vahav, Asael (Assi)

Son of Sarah and Benjamin was born in Petach Tikvah on August 28, 1963. Asi studied at the Netzach-Israel elementary school and continued his studies at the Torat Aharon school in Jerusalem, where he excelled in Torah study. He then moved to the Pinhas School of Torah and Crafts in Tel Aviv and completed his studies in automotive mechanics, and Assi was active in various sports, especially in soccer. Riding on a motorcycle Asi was an introverted, sensitive, and affectionate boy, and on August 5, 1982 Assi enlisted in the IDF. He aspired to serve in the Golani Brigade, and was disappointed when he was assigned to another unit as a mechanic. When he was transferred to Lebanon and began serving as a mechanic in a combat unit, Assi was satisfied. On April 13, 1983, Assi went to escort a convoy in the town of Bukata, in the Shuf Mountains in Lebanon, when he encountered a terrorist ambush and was killed. Asael was laid to rest at the military cemetery in Petah Tikva, near his uncle’s grave – Sharon Yosef, who fell in the Yom Kippur War. He left behind his parents, three brothers and three sisters. The commander of his unit wrote to his parents: “His professional ability, and his willingness to work in difficult conditions, put him in line with the best soldiers in the unit: His grace, beauty, modesty and wonderful ability left us.” His family and friends published a pamphlet in his memory. In addition, holy books were donated to the synagogue in the Mahane Yehuda neighborhood of Petach Tikva, where his family prays.