Yerushalmi, Yaakov

Yaakov, son of Leah and Abraham, was born on January 1, 1935, in Alexandria, Egypt, and immigrated to Israel with his family in 1949. He began his studies in the elementary school in his hometown and after his family immigrated to Israel Yaakov was drafted into the Israel Defense Forces in mid-December 1953 and assigned to the infantry. He did his military service as a thief in the Golani infantry brigade. In 1954, Yaakov was released from regular service and assigned to a reserve infantry unit with which he also fought in the Sinai Campaign. After his discharge, he joined the Israel Police and served for four years as a sapper. When he was released in 1958, he received a certificate of appreciation from his commanders: “He fulfilled his duties to everyone’s satisfaction, was pleasant and accepted in society.” Yaakov later joined the merchant fleet and served as a chemist in one of the navy ships in 1958-1962. In 1962 he joined the staff of the Soltam factory. Thanks to his hard work and dedication, he managed to advance in his work and reached the rank of department head. He was engaged in technical drawing and frames. Yaakov was a dedicated and loyal worker, he did well in his work and was appreciated by the factory managers. He was accepted and admired for his co-workers and was elected to serve as a member of the workers’ committee in the factory. As part of his job, he worked to improve working conditions, promote workers and organize cultural and sports activities for the plant’s staff. He married his girlfriend Sarah and set up his home in Tirat Hacarmel. In 1962 his eldest son Avraham was born. In 1964, his daughter Leah was born. In 1966, his youngest daughter Zehava was born. Yaakov loved his family, had a devoted husband and a loving and caring father. After a long and hard day’s work he went out to spend time with them. He took care of the education of his children and invited them to visit various exhibitions and places of entertainment and games for children. He made sure to instill in his family his intense love for nature, much to go on walks and the many landscapes he saw with his camera. In his estate there remains a large collection of photographs and slides that attest to artistic taste and a sense of beauty and aesthetics. He also practiced fishing and was licensed to fish. He combined hard work in the factory with public activity as a member of the workers’ committee, and at the same time spent a lot of time in the warm home he built with his wife and children. In 1961, he was transferred to the Artillery Corps and trained as a medium-cannon crew member. In 1970 he was appointed commander of the team. He fought with his comrades in the Six Day War and during the War of Attrition. During the Yom Kippur War, his unit defended Israel’s eastern border. On November 11, 1973, Ya’akov fell while serving in the Jordan Valley. He was brought to eternal rest in the Haifa cemetery. He left behind a wife, a son and two daughters, a mother and a brother. After his fall, he was promoted to sergeant. In a letter of condolence to the bereaved family, the defense minister wrote: “He was a dedicated soldier and a loyal friend, and Yaakov was loved by everyone who knew him.”