Yoram Elyashiv

Son of Yaakov and Hemda. One of the first members of Kibbutz Beit Oren.

He was born on 6 Tevet 5703 (14.12.1942) in the kibbutz. There he grew up and was educated in the elementary school and the high school until he completed his studies.

Already in his elementary school years he was a modest and sensitive child, but his exceptional sensitivity stood out above all when he discovered an unjust injury to one of the children in the class, or when he saw his friends quarreling over a trifle. He worked as a farmer in the banana branch, and in his free time he listened to music (mainly classical) and played the flute. In his work and in his studies too he was diligent and studious, and full of lively feeling for plant and animal. He loved to hike in the Carmel, and some of the finds from his outings are gathered in his room. He had the soul of an artist, and despite the burden of studies and work he never put down his playing. He also engaged in drawing. His face always shone with a winning smile, and he received every person older than himself with a greeting and with respect. He was courteous and ready to give his help to others. He showed great love for the kibbutz movement and for the youth growing up in it. He regarded them as the best youth in the country, and used to say that they should be directed to guidance work in other cities. And indeed, before going into the army he himself volunteered for guidance work and went out to guide Jerusalem youth; he did this guidance work in the "Machanot HaOlim" in Jerusalem.

In August 1961 he was drafted into the IDF and volunteered for the Paratroopers. He completed a squad commanders' course and an officers' course and reached the rank of Lieutenant. For some time he instructed at the officers' school, and he continued to serve as an officer in the Paratroopers until his discharge.

On returning from the army he went back to work on the farm and found a common language with every person. His personal wish was at one with the kibbutz home, and whatever came from there was a supreme command for him. He accepted the guidance of the youth even though he knew that a great gap would be left in the banana branch in which he worked. Before the Six Day War he took part in the central seminar of the Kibbutz Meuhad at Efal, with the aim that upon finishing the seminar he would guide a supplementary garin of "HaNoar HaOved" at Beit Oren.

When the Six Day War broke out he received a call-up order, and in the battle fought at Ammunition Hill in Jerusalem on 27 Iyar 5727 (6.6.1967), the second day of the fighting, Yoram fell. He left a wife and a child. He was brought to eternal rest in the military cemetery on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem.

After his fall, Yoram was commended by the Brigade Commander for displaying courage and devotion to the objective in the battle for the liberation of Jerusalem. A booklet in his memory was published by Kibbutz Beit Oren. He was commemorated in the booklet "Those Who Fell in the War" of the Kibbutz Meuhad. In "Scrolls of Fire", volume 4, the anthology of writings left by the sons who fell in Israel's battles, material from his legacy was included. In "Stronger Than Lions" of the Paratroopers Command, his biography and a description of his last battle were given. During an inquiry in 2017 it was updated that the Brigade Commander's Commendation was converted to the Medal of Distinguished Service.