Yossi was born on January 18, 1958, in Holon, the son of Yehudit Levy and Shlomo Vahab.
In Holon, he joined the Hashomer Hatzair youth movement and, as part of the Nahal program, arrived in Kibbutz Beit Nir. There he met Estela, who had come to Israel from Argentina as part of the Etgar program. They married in 1981, and in the 1990s, moved to Nir Oz – Yossi, a tall and handsome man, with his wife, Estela and their children, Shahar and Natalie.
Yossi worked for many years as a driver and member of the Egged bus cooperative. He loved Israel’s landscapes and heritage, a passion he shared with friends in the three groups he led every Saturday on Suzuki V-Strom motorcycles and various other vehicles. During these trips, he made a point of visiting memorial sites connected to Israel’s wars.
In Nir Oz, he worked in various roles, and in each, his diligence and perseverance stood out – from field crops and the chicken coop, to serving as community coordinator and food and supplies manager, and, in recent years, managing Microgil, a factory that produces chalk powder.
Yossi was a gifted photographer who captured images with precision and beauty, reflecting his sensitivity and deep appreciation for landscapes and people alike.
He was known by many titles: traveler, photographer, rider, storyteller, scholar, devoted family man and diligent worker. Yet what truly defined him was the enthusiasm and love he brought to everything he did, especially toward people. Everyone who entered his life became a true friend.
Yossi surrounded himself with countless wonderful people, all of whom were inspired by his genuine passion for everything he undertook.
The family he built with Estela – their children Shahar, Natalie and Omer and their grandchildren Negev, Rotem and Noah – will all miss the warmth of his hands and his affectionate embraces.
On October 7, Yossi did everything he could to prevent the terrorists from breaking into the safe room, where he was sheltering with his wife. A gun battle with the terrorists ensued, and he was murdered.
Yossi was laid to rest in Kibbutz Beit Guvrin.
He was 65 years old at the time of his death.
May Yossi’s memory be a blessing.
