Yoeli, Baruch
Son of Moshe and Rivka. He was born on the 7th of Tammuz, July 6, 1946, in Tel Aviv. His parents were the founders of Kibbutz Maanit. After graduating from the Katznelson elementary school in Givatayim, he continued to study at the ORT school, in the three-year track. Most of his spare time was spent in the Hashomer Hatzair movement, both as a trainee and as a mentor. He was clever, honest and humorous, and was loved by all those who knew him. He was not stubborn, despite his strong character. In July 1964, he was drafted with his friends, into the IDF, and was immediately appointed to the position of secretary of the nucleus. He could not bear any injustice and distortion of justice, and would respond to these in the notes of his conversations. There was no limit to giving in to those he loved. Just as he was a loving and caring son, and willing to help his friends, he was a devoted soldier. After training, he was sent to Kibbutz Shoval where he completed his service. He also completed his advanced training in the Parachute Paratroopers Brigade. He worked in the orchards, as well as guiding the youth group on the site. After his discharge from the army, he would occasionally go on reserve duty. After the outbreak of the Six-Day War, on the second day of the battles, on the 27th of Iyar, June 6, 1967, his battalion broke into the American Colony in Jerusalem. As a machine gunner, he made his way through the destruction of a legion that blocked any passage that was in front of it. Testified by the battalion commander, he saved the lives of many of his friends, but not his own. He was buried in the military cemetery on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem. He was later transferred to eternal rest in the Kiryat Shaul military cemetery. In July 1969, a memorial ceremony was held at Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak for Baruch. Every year, the ORT school in Givatayim organizes a sports day, in memory of its fallen students. A booklet, dedicated to his memory, and named after him, was published by Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak. His memory was included in the Municipal Information Bulletin, as well as in the “Book of the Fallen” published by the municipality. In the booklet “53 of them” in memory of the fallen Kibbutz Artzi, a page was dedicated to him. In the book “Marinas Gabro” published by the paratroopers headquarters, is his biography, and description of the last battle.
