Zivi Tzafriri

Zivi Tzafriri (Hebrew: זיוי צפרירי‎) 8 July 1927 - 1 November 1956, was an Israeli Armor Corps officer who was killed during the Sinai War.

Zivi Tzafriri
Born(1927-07-08)July 8, 1927
Ein Harod, British Mandate of Palestine
DiedNovember 1, 1956(1956-11-01) (aged 29)
OccupationOfficer
Military career
Allegiance Israel Defense Forces, Palmach
Years of service1945–1956
Rank Sgan Aluf (Lt-Col)
Battles/wars 1948 Arab–Israeli War
Sinai War

Early years

Zivi Tzafriri was born in Ein Harod in British Mandate of Palestine to Ya'akov and Batia Tzafriri. The family moved to kibbutz Givat HaShlosha while Tzafriri was a child. He attended Ohel Shem high school in Ramat Gan, and late the Regional agricultural high school in Givat HaShlosha.[1]

Military years and death

In 1945 Tzafriri joined the Palmach, and joined the IDF upon its establishment. He fought in the 1948 Arab–Israeli War in the central and Jerusalem fronts, and was wounded during the battle over Ramat Rachel, and once again during the Battle of Latrun.[1] During the war Tzafriri was transferred to the Armor Corps. After the war Tzafriri retired from the army and returned to Givat HaShlosha. In 1950 Tzafriri was re-enlisted to the army as an officer in the Armor Corps.[2]

In 1956, during the Sinai War, Tzafriri took part in the battle over Rafah. He was wounded during the battle, but carried on fighting. His Armoured personnel carrier was shelled and Tzafriri, along with his 9-man crew, was instantly killed.[3]

Family

In 1953, he married his wife, Odeda, and settled in Einat.

Remembrance

Beit Zivi in Einat, Zivi Hall (Ulam Zivi) in Ohel Shem school[2] are named after Tzafriri. After his death, his father issued two yearly scholarships to Mikveh Israel school,[4] to Ohel Shem students[3] and erected a fund for Hebrew University of Jerusalem students.[5]

In football, Tzafriri was memorialized through several cups given in his honor, including the first ever Israel Super Cup, played between Hapoel Tel Aviv and Hapoel Petah Tikva in 1957.[6] The sports compound in Kiryat Shalom, home of Hapoel Kiryat Shalom, is also called after him.[7]

References
  1. Lt-Col Zivi Tzafriri Davar, 7 January 1957, Historical Jewish Press (in Hebrew)
  2. Ulam Zivi in Ramat Gan, Named After Lt-Col Tzafriri Inaugurated Davar, 22 April 1958, Historical Jewish Press (in Hebrew)
  3. Scholarships in Memorial of Lt-Col Zivi Tzafriri Davar, 18 November 1960, Historical Jewish Press (in Hebrew)
  4. A Commercial Center Inaugurated in Kiryat Malakhi Davar, 22 November 1957, Historical Jewish Press (in Hebrew)
  5. Fund Named after Lt-Col Zivi Tzafriri Near the University Davar, 30 June 1963, Historical Jewish Press (in Hebrew)
  6. Hapoel T.A. Beat Hapoel P.T. 3:0 Dave, 24 November 1957, Historical Jewish Press (in Hebrew)
  7. Sport Grounds Named after Lt-Col Zivi Tzafriri to Be Built in Kiryat Shalom Davar, 12 November 1958, Historical Jewish Press (in Hebrew)
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