Yosi Sharabi

Yossi was the second child of Ratzon and Chana, and brother of Osnat, Eli, Sharon, and Hila.
He was born and raised in Tel Aviv, in the Nir Aviv neighborhood. In his home - a four-story building, everyone knew everyone — they played together, studied together, and grew up together. The Sharabi home was always open, always full of friends who felt like part of the family.

From a young age, Yossi developed a special love for the sea and for soccer. He would come home from school, do his homework, and run downstairs to play with his brother and the neighborhood kids. Almost every Saturday, they would pack a ball, towels, a cooler filled with fruit, and his mother Chana’s jahnun, and head to the beach until evening fell. Yossi used to say, “Those were the days when the simplicity of life and the joy we found in what we already had filled everyone with a happiness that sought for nothing more.”

Yossi studied in Tel Aviv until ninth grade, and in 1985 he joined the youth program on Kibbutz Einat. His wish to experience kibbutz life grew from his frequent visits to his older sister Osnat, who lived on Kibbutz HaZorea. From ninth to twelfth grade, he studied at ORT Hof HaSharon High School at Kibbutz Shefayim, majoring in electronics and computers. In 1989, he enlisted in the IDF Signal Corps and served as a communications technician for four years.

After his military service, Yossi traveled through New Zealand and Australia, where he embarked on extreme adventures — including bungee jumping from a height of 102 meters. Throughout his life, even as an adult, he insisted on riding every terrifying, high, and twisting roller coaster he came across in amusement parks across Europe.

In 2001, Yossi moved to Kibbutz Be’eri, following his brother Eli. He began working at the Be’eri Printing Press, first on the production floor in the wrapping department, later taking on management roles in the packaging and envelope divisions, and eventually becoming the logistics and procurement manager.

After a short time working outside the kibbutz, he returned to Be’eri Printing as head of security and safety, becoming part of the factory’s leadership team. Alongside his professional work, Yossi completed both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree and planned to continue developing his expertise in economics and marketing. In every role he took on, Yossi stood out for his drive to act — and to do good. He was always dedicated, professional, and motivated by a deep desire to make a meaningful difference.

During this time, Yossi met Nira, a nurse in the hematology-oncology department at Soroka Hospital. The two married in 2005. A year later, their first daughter, Yuval, was born, and they became a family. In 2009, their second daughter, Ofir, was born, and a year and four months later, their youngest, Oren, joined them. Yossi, Nira, and their children became an inseparable part of the Be’eri community. The transition from Tel Aviv to the kibbutz came naturally to Yossi — he became part of the kibbutz, and the kibbutz became part of him.

Yossi volunteered with other kibbutz members at Bereshit, a shelter providing hot meals and a safe space for homeless youth. He felt it was a privilege to help teenagers in crisis and never missed the monthly volunteer evenings. His specialty was the barbecue — and when new kids arrived at the shelter, the veterans would tell them, “If Yossi’s coming tonight, there’s a good chance there’ll be steaks.”

The Be’eri synagogue was also close to Yossi’s heart. He served as a cantor and regularly attended prayer with his daughters from the time they were small. Over the years, he became involved in the synagogue’s upkeep and organization — during holidays and throughout the year — always with humility and quiet dedication. He was slated to take over the synagogue’s management and was part of the team planning for its future.

Yossi knew how to fill his free time well. He loved watching nature and history programs, enjoyed extreme sports and soccer, liked solving crossword puzzles, and could fix absolutely anything around the house — a true handyman. But above all, Yossi loved surfing — especially with his daughters. For him, the quality time began already on the drive to the beach and continued between the waves. He cherished these moments, seeing them as the most important thing in life. Together, they created countless precious memories.

On October 7, 2023, Yossi was abducted from his home and taken into Gaza. Those who were held captive with him have repeatedly testified how much his calm presence helped them — even in the darkest, most frightening moments. Yossi protected, comforted, and supported them, acting as a father figure to the younger captives until his very last day.

Yossi was murdered on the ninety-seventh day of captivity — January 10, 2024 — when the building where he was held collapsed following an Israeli Air Force strike.

Yossi was a man of peace. A devoted and loving family man who cherished life’s simple joys.

Who is the man who desires life, who loves days to see goodness

Guard your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceitfully.

Shun evil and do good, seek peace and pursue it.

This is how he lived.This was his way.
May his memory be blessed.