Deputy David Golovnitz was killed in operational activity in Hebron • His father, Shimon, continues the social initiatives that began in his life and developed them into a huge life enterprise

• David late // Photo: Courtesy of the family

Last Chanukah gathered the family and friends of the late Lt. David Golovnitz, who fell in Hebron in 2017, to mark his 25th birthday. The loaded and exciting reunion was held in his memorial in Jerusalem, a small part of his family's many memorial establishments. Founded after his death, some of which David established himself in his life, most notably the world-renowned tefillin venture.

"David has set up a number of ventures," says David's father, Shimon Goloventz. David started the food distribution initiative at the age of just 16, and, having enlisted, continued to buy groceries from his military salary every time he went on vacation. With friends he raised, he would pass between families in need and distribute them for Shabbos. Today, Shimon and his family continue to cherish their loved ones and each Wednesday distributes to hundreds of families with food baskets. In addition, he notes, "Since Uncle fell, we have set up several large ventures and a slew of small ventures."

David Golovnitz, the son of Esther and Shimon, was born in Jerusalem in 1994 and later moved with his family to Efrat in Gush Etzion. In 2014, he enlisted in the 12th Battalion of the Golani Brigade, and after completing an officer course, returned to the Brigade for a division commander. In July 2017, he was killed during operational activities of his unit in Hebron. His good name, which went before him while he was alive, only intensified after his death.

David with his parents // Photo: Courtesy of the family

"From day one, he told me he met an angel," wrote the mother of one of Gulu's soldiers, as his friends in the army called David's family, adding, "Our son loved and admired Gulu as he did not like life." Another soldier noted a few months after the death of his commander that "Eight months I fight and fight for myself and my routine to be a better person to myself and Israeli society, to be David! ... I really miss him and do everything to continue his path and heritage and instill it in those around me" .

In an interesting story that emerged after his fall, it was described that while David commanded a rookie department, he encountered a soldier in the middle of the night who was unable to fall asleep. After a short conversation, he realized that the soldier was preoccupied with his family's financial situation. The next day, he visited the family home and after the visit began to release the soldier from time to time, while maintaining his privacy, so that he could work a little and help with the livelihood. "Today as a commander," the soldier wrote to the Goloventz family, "every dilemma I have I first try to think what David would do because it is the right thing. Before I took office I was clear that I wanted to be a commander like him. Not so that the soldiers would look at me with admiration, but So that the soldiers get everything they need and carry out the task on the best side and also know what joy they are doing. "

Shimon, who, until the fall of Bo, served as director of the Salvation Medical Center, these stories only strengthened and encouraged him to continue in David's factories and set up many more. In addition to distributing food to the needy and the joyous teams, he also founded a beit midrash with the co-chair of Yeshivat Mekor Haim, Rabbi Dov Singer and its president, Rabbi Adina Steinzlatz, a youth youth at risk project called "Youth at Risk" and assistance with bureaucrats for bereaved families. The weakest population in the country. "

But the highlight for David's family is the world-renowned tefillin venture, in which Shimon Tefillin distributes to those who are interested in it and their name is not accomplished. The reason this plant is particularly close to the heart of the family is the fact that David was very connected to the Tefillin laying mitzvah from an early age. To date, over a thousand pairs of tefillin have been distributed. "As a donation, we receive every pair of unused Tefillin, if needed, and give to all who require it, especially the soldiers who want it," notes David and asks the public. "If you have old grandfather or deceased uncle, it is a pity that you just keep a souvenir. Very people who are interested. "

In conclusion, Golo's mother, Esther, tells of the road that her son hunted after he fell. "David was, and still is, a living example to me that there is nothing against the will, and even when you don't seem to have a drop of power - you have and a lot. At seven, the story repeated how in each journey he would take his soldiers on a route harder than planned to prove they could. And at the end of the journey he would show them that they had more power, asking: 'Where's the smile?' And requires them to raise their heads and everyone would raise their heads and smile. For me, this is his will for me and for all of us. "