Efrat Local Council Memorial for Soldiers and Victims of Terror Back to main page
Click for Hebrew

Ofir Paveh

Ofir, son of Genesia and Avi, was born in Kfar Etzion on 20th Elul, 5735, (27th August, 1975). He went to the regional State Religious Elementary School in Gush Etzion and continued his high school studies in the Kibbutz Yavneh Regional School. In 11th grade Ofir spent time on the tractors in agricultural work at Ein Tzurim.

At the age of 16 he and his family moved to Efrat. Ofir was a charismatic and cohesive leader sweeping others along in his wake, whether socially, or in his family circle, or within his army framework. Everything revolved around him. He radiated confidence and stability and it was always a pleasure to be in his company.

Ofir enlisted in the I.D.F. towards the end of November 1993. He volunteered for the elite "Maglan" unit and successfully completed their combat training course. In the course of his gruelling training he won the admiration of his comrades and the respect of his commanders. His army file describes him as "a first class soldier, dedicated and involved, and selected for paramedical training because of his exceptional capabilities." Early in 1995 Ofir began his paramedic's training course where he was soon noted for outstanding ability and was befriended by all, including the course instructors and officers.

On 2nd of Nissan 5755 (2nd April, 1995), at the age of 20, Ofir was killed in a road accident during his paramedic's training course. He was buried in the military section of the Kfar Etzion cemetery. He is survived by his parents, his brother and two sisters (Doron, Tal and Adi). Ofir was promoted to the rank of sergeant posthumously.

In his letter of condolence to the family the Chief of Staff Amnon Lipkin-Shahak wrote: "The late Ofir Yehoshua, of blessed memory, served as an artillery aimer in the 'Orev' company when he was killed in a road accident. His commanders considered him an outstanding and professional soldier. He was highly motivated and decisive, and gifted with will power and leadership qualities with which he urged his team on to success. Ofir excelled at every stage of his paramedic's training and planned to return to his unit as a qualified combat paramedic on completion of the course."

His commander wrote: "Ofir served in the battalion as a combat artillery aimer. In our unit we came to know him as a man of values, bursting with energy, a real 'operator' in our crew's language, and in fact one of the 'prime movers' of the team. A stubborn soldier whose will-power and determination spurred him on to success in everything he did."

Ofir's parents founded a synagogue in Efrat in his name - "Nachlat Ofir" ("Ofir's Heritage").

Movie about Ofir


Back