Born on December 8, 1944, in Givatayim, he was the son of Emuna and David and the brother of Aryeh and Shoshana.
Avraham served as a counselor in the Ramat Gan chapter of Hashomer Hatzair, joined the movement’s Gar’in Tzabar settlement group, and arrived in Nir Oz with it at the age of 17. He served as a paratrooper and after his discharge in 1966, married Ruti, whom he had met in the group. Together, they built their home — a warm home for outside children (children from towns or cities raised on the kibbutz), fellow gar’in members, volunteers, new families and new immigrants from the former Soviet Union as part of the “First Home in the Homeland” program.
During the Six-Day War, he took part in the battle for Ammunition Hill in Jerusalem, was wounded and lost many friends, an experience that scarred his soul for the rest of his life.
Avraham, known in the kibbutz as “Munder,” was a devoted family man and loving father to Keren and Roee. An introvert by nature, he was beloved by all who knew him for his generosity, sensitivity and unique sense of humor. He endearingly peppered his speech with phrases from Jewish sources and a touch of Yiddish, the language he had learned in his parents’ home. His deep love for his family was evident in everything he did.
Munder was an exceptionally diligent and dedicated worker who regarded work as a central value in his life. Over the years, he worked in landscaping, as a purchasing coordinator and at the Nirlat factory, which truly became a second home to him. He loved his work and was proud of the factory’s growth.
After retiring, he worked in the kibbutz laundry to remain active and contribute.
Avraham was a sports and soccer enthusiast. He collected stamps, corresponded with collectors around the world, enjoyed solving crossword puzzles and had a beautiful tenor voice. He sang in vocal ensembles, where he expressed his love for the combination of Hebrew and music.
In 2014, when he was 70, his only grandson, Ohad, was born, a great treasure and a source of immense pride for him. The time spent with Ohad brought him great joy.
On October 7, 2023, the thing he feared most happened: the war reached him inside his own home, where he was with the people dearest to him — Ruti, their daughter Keren and their grandson Ohad. Avraham bravely held the safe room door shut to protect his family, but in vain— the three were abducted to Gaza before his eyes, and he himself was abducted separately on a motorcycle, unaware that his son, Roee, had been murdered by Hamas terrorists in the kibbutz.
Avraham was held hostage for a long time. At the end of November 2023, Ruti, Keren and Ohad were released. While in captivity, Avraham heard about their release and was moved to the depths of his soul.
Avraham was murdered while in captivity on February 14, 2024. Lacking sufficient intelligence, the Air Force bombed the area where he was being held. On August 20, 2024, his body was returned for burial.
“The sensitive, vulnerable heart
that knew how to love and give wholeheartedly
and felt the world’s pain
fell silent in the blood of the damned war.
To my deep sorrow, Abba,
we lost you,
and in your battered head
and aching body
bullets were found.
While in me, an inconsolable pain and longing remain.
He was 79 years old when he was murdered.
May Avraham’s memory be a blessing.
