Wissblum, Elimelech-Yitzhak

Elimelech Yitzchak Wissblum, was the only son of Chaya and Israel-Zvi. He was born on the 25th of Tishrei, (21.10.1927) in Jerusalem, the fourth generation to live in Israel. He was forced at a young age to take care of his mother’s livelihood. Elimelech-Yitzhak was always thoughtful of others, pleasant to all and , distributed his savings to the poor and needy. When he was 15, he joined the Haganah was put into active service to protect the city of Jerusalem. He showed great courage and once brought a Torah scroll to the outpost, at great personal risk. When his lame grandfather, who lived opposite Sheikh-Jarah, remained alone during the fighting, Elimelech carried him on his back down the stairwell, which was exposed to the shooting, and transferred him to a place of safety. Elimelech, though he was an only son and exempt from fighting on the front, went out of his own volition to help the settlement. The shelling was harsh and he prevailed until his machine gun was hit directly by the enemy. Even after that he fought for hours on end, until the withdrawal order was issued. During the retreat, on the 14th of Iyar, May 23, 1948, he was hit by an enemy bullet and continued to run 20 meters. When he fell, he called out, “What will become of my mother?” To his mother, he was her only comfort in her lonely. He was buried in Sheikh Bader Aleph. His mother founded a charity fund named after him in Jerusalem. On the 2nd of Elul 5710 (4.9.1950), he was transferred to the Sanhedria Cemetery for eternal rest in Jerusalem.