Sgt. Yuval Tirosh, z”l

Sergeant Yuval Tirosh, son of Hagit and Avinoam and brother to Alon and Omer, was born in Givatayim. Later, his family moved to Ra’anana, where he grew up.

Yuval studied at Hadar Elementary School. At a young age, he was identified as gifted and took part in an enrichment program for gifted children. When he attended Alon Junior High School, Yuval participated in an advanced program for outstanding students in mathematics. In high school, he studied in the science track at Mor MetroWest High School. He was an outstanding student – intelligent, funny, and shy – with a captivating smile that became his trademark and a rolling laugh. Curious, loyal to his opinions, friendly, generous, and kind-hearted. His father said, “He never hesitated to express an opinion and to look for the logic in another’s opinion. For Yuval, nothing was ever taken for granted.”

Alongside his academic achievements, Yuval was also involved in art, sports, and music. He played the clarinet, sculpted, and painted. He played basketball for Maccabi Ironi Ra’anana and practiced table tennis, long-distance running, and water skiing. In his yearbook, his classmates wrote about him: “A smart and friendly kid, does well in school too, always around when someone needs you. Talented in everything – sports, music, and class, and lots of good friends, wherever he’ll pass.”

Yuval had a special personality. He loved life and enjoyed every little thing. Everything he did, Yuval did with calm and composure. Despite his many successes and talents, he was humble and warm to everyone. His mother said, “Yuval was clear-minded and full of talents, yet modest, full of joy for life. He paid attention to people, and that’s why they loved him. Even at home, he was interested in each family member, and when there was a need to lend a hand, you could always count on him to do it.”

In April 2003, Yuval enlisted in the IDF's Naval Officers’ Course. Later, he left the course and successfully passed the tryouts for the Yael Reconnaissance Unit, the Combat Engineering special missions unit. Over the course of about a year and a half (the training period in Yael), Yuval became an outstanding fighter, thoughtful and intelligent, respected and loved by his commanders and teammates in the “Eshel” squad. He loved the service in the unit and the complex missions. At the same time, he dreamed of a practical and creative civilian life. A bright future awaited him.

On June 3, 2005, Yuval fell in line of service. A week after completing the grueling training phase in Yael and receiving his fighter’s pin, Yuval and his friends held the then-traditional drinking party in the Kadima forest in the Sharon. During the party, Yuval suffered alcohol poisoning and passed away. He was 20 years old. He was laid to rest in the military cemetery in Ra’anana. “We admire you,” a teammate eulogized. A family member wrote: “Yuval, you were the closest to perfect. There wasn’t a single thing about you that any of us didn’t love.”

May his memory be blessed.