Vahava, Yehuda

Yehuda, son of Esther and Sa’ad, was born on March 30, 1949, in Marseilles, France, where he immigrated to Israel with his family in 1949 and completed his studies at the Bar-Ilan elementary school in Holon. He was born in France while his family was on his way from Egypt to Eretz Israel, but during his family’s wanderings Yehuda became ill and grew up in Israel as a son of glory to his parents and his family. Yehuda was drafted into the IDF in 1967 and served in the armored corps. He took a course in tank drivers and a tank-related course and became an outstanding tanker. A few months after his enlistment, the Six-Day War broke out and he participated in this war despite his youth. After he was discharged from the regular service, he worked in his profession, industrial electrician, in various places. He excelled at work thanks to his dedication and loyalty and was an excellent friend and a loyal employee. Yehuda was an exemplary family man. He was very devoted to his parents, brothers and sisters, and worked hard to help them materially and to encourage them during the difficult times. One of his brothers was wounded in battle in the Kadesh system. Three months before his fall, he married a wife. In the Yom Kippur War, Yehuda was a Patton tank driver in an armor formation that fought in the central sector of the Suez Canal. He participated in the braking battles at the beginning of the war. Prior to crossing the Suez Canal, his tank unit was among the units that fought in the “Chinese farm” area. In a battle that took place on the 15th of Tishrei 5734 (15.10.1973) between the tanks of his unit and the Egyptians’ armor near the “Chinese ranch” Judah was killed and killed. He was brought to eternal rest in the cemetery in Kiryat Shaul. He left behind a wife, parents and eight brothers and sisters. After his fall, he was promoted to sergeant. In a letter of condolence to the bereaved family, his commander wrote that Yehuda was an excellent crew member who knew his work and was not afraid to do it faithfully, even under harsh conditions and under fire. His family donated a Torah scroll to the “Meir Baal Haness” synagogue in Tel Giborim in Holon. The book was inserted into the Holy Ark in the synagogue with the participation of a rabbi, on 9 Cheshvan 5736