Baruch
Cohen was born on the island Jarba in Tunisia in 1942. During his childhood
he was the shamash of Rav Chaim Churi. In 1954 he made aliya
with his parents and nine siblings, and lived in a transit camp in
Kiryat Shmona. One year later, his family moved to the "Hadar-Yosef"
neighborhood in Tel-Aviv. At age 16 he joined the no'ar ha'oved
vehalomed (a youth movement), and at 18 he was drafted, and served
as a soldier in g'dud 12. When he was released he began to work
as a plumber in Tel-Aviv.
In
1965 he met Esther Travelsi, and they married three months later.
In 1966 his first son, Amnon, was born. Today he serves as a General in
the IDF, and is the governor of the Hevron sector. He lives in Be'er
Sheva.
In 1968 his second son, Eitan, was born. Today he is an engineer in Chevrat
Hachashmal. He lives in Jerusalem.
In 1970 his third son, Avshalom, was born. Today he works for Intel, and
lives in Achuzat Etrog.
In 1972 his fourth son, Oren, was born. Today he manages a clinic for
the Israel Police. He lives in Nes-Tziona.
In 1975 his only daughter, Hadas, was born. Today she lives in Kiryat
Arba, and teaches in the girls ulpena.
In 1977 his last son, Avihu, was born. Today he is the mazkir of
Karmei Tzur, and lives in Efrat.
Baruch
worked as a plumber in Be'er Sheva. In the course of his work he came to
Efrat and finished the first building for Ohr
Torah Stone, which became the Neve Shmuel Yeshiva High-school. After a certain
period he left the construction industry and became the av bayit
at the Frankel school in Jerusalem. During his time there he formed new
and original content for his job, and was like a father to his young
students, caring for them just a father cares for his children.
On
Monday March 19, Baruch left to work as usual at 5:50 a.m. Six hours
earlier the closure on Beit-Lechem was removed. Five minutes after he
left he was overtaken by a car that contained terrorists. They shot 14
bullets at him. Five bullets decreed his fate. Four bullets hit him in
the head and killed him instantly. Another hit him in the waist. Baruch
Cohen HY"D was killed then and there. The doctor who examined his
body determined that he had not even had
time to comprehend what had happened, and died without pain.
Thousands
joined the funeral procession that left Efrat, and escorted him to his
final resting place.
He
was 59 at his death. A man who knew the meaning of hard work, a man that
was truthful and honest. He lived through enormous hardships, but never
gave up.
He
was 59, and only then did he begin to live after his suffering ended.
He
was 59, and didn't get to see the wedding of his youngest son, Avihu,
who got engaged only one week before the murder, and got married three
months later.
He
was 59, and left stunned his wife Esther,
His children –
Amnon, Eitan, Avashalom, Oren, Hadas, Avihu
His in-laws –
Isabella, Neli, Tzviya, Chedva, Ofir, Dikla
His grandchildren – Liron, Mor, Adar, Sharon, Gal, Neria, Matan, Nevo,
Aviya, Eyal, Tchiya
His
grandchildren who didn't get to meet him, and were born in the months
after the murder – Yair Baruch and Avinoam Baruch Uziah – that
didn't get to enjoy him, and he didn't get to enjoy them.
He
was 59 at his death. Hashem Yikom Damo.
One month after Baruch's death, on the shloshim, the banquet hall at his shul (Ohel Shimon ve'Esther) was dedicated in his memory. It was named "Ohel Baruch".
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