Yeshayahu (Shaya), son of Sarah and Chaim, one of the founders of Kibbutz Gvat, was born on October 6, 1937, in a kibbutz where he grew up and studied at the elementary school in the kibbutz and then completed high school in the local school Shaya grew up in the group of children and was an outstanding child and an outstanding student throughout his studies, especially in the real professions, but he was also interested in literature, reading books and watching the theater, he was friendly and generous and always helped others. , Had a special sense of humor and was the driving force in every activity in his society, and he saw the love of the land and the love of man as important values, He was a sports enthusiast who kept his physical fitness, as well as watching football and basketball, and was very excited even when watching television games. Shaya lost his mother when he was eleven years old, and was always a model son of his father and a brother very fond of his brother, Elisha Z “l, Ami and Na’aman.
Yeshayahu was drafted into the IDF at the end of October 1956 and assigned to the Golani Brigade, completing a course in reconnaissance and a parachuting course. Throughout his service, he was a good soldier and did all that was required of him with dedication, efficiency and recognition and pride for his unit.
After he was discharged from regular service, he was assigned to reserve duty in a patrol unit of the Armored Corps and served there until his last day. He spent long periods of reserve duty there, and with it he fought in the Six-Day War, in the battle for the city of Nablus. Friends who knew him well from that period of war, in which man is revealed as he is, say that he had the wisdom of a mature life, the wisdom of experience and the recognition of life on all sides – the beautiful and the ugly. They also tell of his kindness and his willingness to help always, small and big, from sharing the sandwich that remained in the bag, to carrying a failed or injured friend.
After the liberation, Shaya returned to his farm and a year later went on a year of service at Kibbutz Yad Hannah Szenes. He worked there in the vineyard and devoted most of his energies to the economic, social and cultural development of the young economy. He also wanted to stay there permanently, for he believed he could contribute much more to a young and developing economy. However, this plan did not materialize and he returned to Gevat and began to work as a fruit planter. In 1962 he married his girlfriend Zippora and together they established a warm home for the three girls who were born later and were a model family. He was very active in the life of the economy, but devoted most of his time to cultural life, was responsible for bringing performances outside the economy, presiding at parties and celebrations and read feuilletons with great talent and participated in poetry performances in his voice. At the same time, he made sure he had plenty of time for his family and his home, and above all for his daughters. He was a proud and happy father, devoted entirely to their education. Every evening, in the rain and the storm, he moved among the children’s homes to put his daughters to bed with a story and a kiss. And every morning he would come to say good morning. At noon he would also help them with their lessons, accompany a piano class, teach swimming or cycling, or just chat with the girls. His house was a warm and open house where many couples would gather every evening to enjoy the pleasant atmosphere and talk about matters at the top of the world. In 1969 he moved to work at the “Palestro” factory and loved his work there, succeeded in it and drew great satisfaction from it. When the Yom Kippur War broke out, Shaya was recruited with his unit – although he could join another unit because of his age – and participated in the battles in the Golan Heights. On the 10th of Tishrei 5734 (10.10.1973), the unit was deployed in preparation for the battle for the breakthrough to the Golan Heights, and then came under heavy shelling, in which Shaya was killed. He was brought to eternal rest in the cemetery at Kibbutz Gvat. Survived by a wife and three daughters – Sarit, Tali and Ayelet, father and brothers. After his fall, he was promoted to First Sergeant.
In a letter of condolence to the bereaved family, his commander wrote: “Your son, Sergeant Yeshayahu z” l, served in an armored unit and was a good and loyal soldier. He adamantly carried out all his duties
Loved all his subordinates and commanders. ”
His kibbutz published a pamphlet in his memory, which included members’ comments on his character and fragments of his letters.
