1st Lt. Gad Gadi Man-El, z”l

First Lieutenant Gad Man-El, son of Chasya and Binyamin and the only brother of Nir, was born and raised in Ramat Gan – a blond child with large, curious eyes, beautiful inside and out.

Gad, Gadi, or Gadush to his loved ones, studied at the “Ghetto Fighters” elementary school and at “Blich” high school. From childhood, he was opinionated, a leader, someone who wanted to act, change, and contribute. In high school, he was an outstanding student and an active member of the student council, not hesitating to threaten a rebellion against the school principal when the latter decided to introduce a school uniform without consulting the students. Smart and sensitive, cynical, yet with a dark sense of humor, principled and caring, Gadi was beloved, always surrounded by friends, including a regular group that became known as “Team Alpha.”

Gadi often delved deeply into reading and excelled in history, particularly in the study of communist regimes and the socialist worldview. As a teenager, he founded “Gadiland,” an ideal state based on the values of morality, justice, equality, love, alongside excellence and achievement. Gadi wrote the state’s vision, printed its emblem, drew a flag, and wrote a constitution. Raised on the values of love of his land and country, Gadi studied Jewish philosophy and the history of the Jewish people and read extensively the writings of Professor Yeshayahu Leibowitz. He was a Zionist and believed in the revival of the Jewish people in their homeland. Gadi was greatly influenced by the stories of his grandfather, a Holocaust survivor, and by the journey to Poland. He led his school’s famous mock election campaign for the Knesset and the Prime Minister, dreamed of becoming Prime Minister or a Member of Knesset, and had a bright future ahead of him.

In February 2000, Gadi enlisted in the IDF, and after a grueling ten-month training course, he was assigned to the NBC (nuclear, biological, chemical) unit of the Combat Engineering Corps. At the end of the course, he completed the squad leaders’ course and was sent to the officers’ course for land forces. Gadi became an admired commander – charismatic, humane, respected, and loved – who cared for his soldiers like a father for his children, calling them “my kids” and instilling in them Zionism and love of land and country. The essence of his approach as a commander was “Zionism and excellence.” He gave personal attention to each soldier, maintained contact with their parents, and supported the weaker ones. Gadi also made sure to constantly drill and train his soldiers “so that we won’t just be the best – we’ll be outstanding,” as he used to say. One of his soldiers said, “It’s amazing how much one person can touch and influence the lives of so many people in such a short time.” Later, Gadi commanded Platoon 3 in the Granite Company. He would tell his soldiers, “When it’s hard, look at the flag and know – you are not alone.”

On January 26, 2003, three years minus one month after he enlisted, and three days before the end of his soldiers’ training, Gadi fell in the line of duty. He was 21 and a half years old. Gadi was laid to rest in the military cemetery at Kiryat Shaul. He did not get the chance to pin the combat insignia on his soldiers. His soldiers promised to continue his path. His father wrote: “We will be outstanding, as you were, as you wanted.”

May his memory be blessed.