refael edry – memorial website
refael edry – memorial website
Refael Edry OBM demonstrated a tremendous fighting spirit and fierce courage during Israel’s 1948 Independence Day War but sadly lost his life at 24 years of age after a bullet entered the back of his neck. Since his childhood, Edry was known to possess a good moral character as he was heavily involved in the youth movement in his hometown of Safed. Later, during hostilities, he exemplified courage and virtue when he went house to house to obtain an Israeli flag and replaced the Syrian flag raised by the Arabs which hung on the roof of a hotel near the British police station. Stories of Edry’s heroism continue to be told many years after his death and have inspired his family members to continue his legacy for social equality with the establishment of the Ahinoam Organization. How are these social equality activities carried out? Why are they important? Find all the details below.
The memory of the late war hero Refael Edry continues to live on many years after his death through his family members that have decided to continue his tradition of caring for others, through a series of programs and initiatives. One of the family’s major accomplishments includes raising over 3 million NIS for the establishment of a Beit Yad Labanim in Safed. This incredibly important and significant place enables families and visitors to unite, honor and forever cherish the memory of Israel’s fallen sons and serves as a home for the story of the sacrifice and heroism of the Jewish settlement and leaves a legacy for future generations. The idea for continuing Rafi Edry’s legacy was spearheaded by the third generation and are actually his nephews. The initiative was led by Refael Edry, named after his late uncle, Eyal Edry and Moshe Edree. Perhaps their most impressive accomplishment to date is the establishment of the Ahinoam Organization in 2018. The Ahinoam Organization is a NGO with the clear objective of narrowing the gaps in Israeli society by developing and promoting socioeconomic programs in the peripheral regions across the country. Ahinoam has successfully implemented a series of impactful programs targeted at marginalized groups in Israeli society specifically in peripheral regions of the country.
Although the Ahinoam Organziation is responsible for an extensive array of national social programs, they have opted to remain out of the media and public eye and to modestly purse their efforts and honor the late Refael Edry’s life’s work.
Over the years, the founders have developed and implemented an impressive array of groundbreaking social programs. One of their flagship programs is a long-term Big Brother Mentoring Program for at-risk youth. This program provides 16 year old students in the periphery with a long-term mentor who provides guidance and support in school, in their personal lives, throughout their military service, post high-school education and entry into the job market. This program is fully supported by local authorities as well as the Ministry of Education who recognize the value and impact of this groundbreaking program. In light of the program’s success, the founders, Refael, Eyal and Moshe decided to promote and expand it to other cities as well, as part of the organization’s overall objective of promoting equality in Israeli society.
An extension to the Big Brother Program includes supporting at-risk youth that are not recognized by the Welfare authorities. Here too, Ahinoam provides a full support package including personalized support based on the individual’s needs. It is very heartwarming to read the many letters of appreciation and personal success stories from the participants’ families on the Ahinoam Organization’s website.
The heroic story of the late Refael Edry, continues to resonate even so many years after his death in the bloody battle near Kibbutz Revivim. Edry’s nephews, believe that The Ahinoam Organization and social action are an integral part of perpetuating their late uncle’s memory. Indeed, they have been very successful to date and we can’t wait to see what programs and initiatives they will develop in the future.
Refael Edry, OBM was a very brave soldier that demonstrated a tremendous fighting spirit and fierce courage during Israel’s 1948 Independence Day War. Edry took an active part in defending the city of Safed, where he was born and raised until joining the Yiftach Unit wherein a battle he would lose his life. In fact, the late Rafi Edry had deep-rooted Zionist values, a true love for the homeland and for giving back to his community. His life’s achievements serve as a testament to his strong moral compass and values. Sadly, he would die at the tender age of 24, although, through his family members his spirit and vision live on.
The late Rafi Edry fought during the Independence Day War and was regarded as one of the most prominent fighters. This admiration stemmed from his expertise that he developed in the field of disarming weapons as well as being the only sniper in the city of Safed. The story of his heroism began long before his soldier days when Rafi Edry went house to house to obtain an Israeli flag and hang it on the roof of a hotel, where a Syrian flag was raised by the Arabs. He managed to do this under heavy fire and was highly respected in the city, as this story truly embodies his devotion and great love for his homeland and the State of Israel.
As someone who always saw Zionism as an integral part of his life story, it is no wonder that even after the end of the fighting in the city of Safed, he decided not to stay but to join the Yiftach Unit which was fighting for the liberation of the Negev. Edry fell in battle at 24 years of age, after heavy shelling from the Egyptian side. Since his death, his family members have decided to continue his tradition of caring for others, through a series of programs and initiatives. Their major contributions include raising funds for the establishment of a Beit Yad Labanim in Safed and the establishment of the Ahinoam Organization, which we will expand on now.
The Ahinoam Organization was founded by the Edry brothers, Rafi, Moshe and Eyal with the clear objective of narrowing the gaps in Israeli society by developing and promoting socioeconomic programs in the peripheral regions across the country. One major project initiated by Rafi Edry and his brothers was the “No Student Left out of the Classroom” Program. Together, the founders and volunteers successfully distributed over 25,000 refurbished/new computers to students during the Covid pandemic. In light of this success, the brothers decided to expand the program to other cities to reach even more students across Israel. Another area of focus for the Ahinoam Organization is promoting the city of Safed, wherein the Edry brothers were born and raised. Ahinoam’s volunteers renovated the library and the founders donated funds to promote music education in the city. Here too, the goal is to expand this program to other cities as Ahinoam understands the importance and impact of a strong educational infrastructure as a foundation for promoting progress and development.
Although many years have passed, since Rafi Edry’s death, his heroic story continues to guide and drive his family in their day-to-day lives and philanthropic activities through the Ahinoam Organization. Visit the Ahinoam official website where you can read more information about their social programs tailored to reduce the gaps in Israeli society and to promote equality for future generations.
