Said was a beloved, loving man who cherished both people and life itself.
He was born on January 21, 1948, in Basra, Iraq, the son of Najia and Moshe. The family made aliyah to Israel in 1950, first settling in Beit She’an before moving to Tel Aviv.
Said enlisted in the Nahal Paratroopers and arrived in Nir Oz in 1966. During the Yom Kippur War, he lost his brother, Sasson, who fell in battle on the Golan Heights before Said’s eyes as they fought side by side.
He met Adina in Nir Oz during her community service period. They married in 1970 and built their home on the kibbutz. Throughout their 53-year marriage, they shared deep love and enduring friendship and raised four children: Mia, Yael, Sasson and Amos.
Said had 12 grandchildren, who were fortunate to spend a lot of time with him, laughing at his jokes, trying to solve his riddles, riding with him in the pickup truck through the fields and learning from him to love Israel, the land and agriculture.
Said managed the field crops in Nir Oz for many years. The fields, agriculture and Zionism were his way of life.
He was also a passionate devotee of Hapoel Tel Aviv for decades, despite the countless frustrations that came with it. He loved sports wholeheartedly and knew every league table by heart. Gifted in finance and economics, he generously shared his knowledge with everyone around him.
He loved to eat (especially sweets…). He loved the first rainfall and was always moved by it. He loved the songs of Shlomo Artzi, cherished the home he came from and revered his dear late mother, Najia. Above all, he loved his family and adored his wife, Adina, with all his heart.
Said brought calm and security to those around him. With kindness, wisdom and practicality, he always knew how to solve problems. His laughter and smile were infectious, and he will be remembered as an optimistic, caring, generous and warm-hearted man.
Said was murdered by terrorists in Nir Oz on October 7, 2023. He was shot in the leg by a bullet that pierced the safe room door as he held it shut. When the terrorists failed to break through the door, they blew up the safe room window and abducted Adina. Despite being severely wounded and bleeding, Said managed to blow her a farewell kiss. The terrorists then returned to the safe room and shot Said twice in the chest.
Said was found lying against the safe room door — still unbreached — with the door handle still in his hand.
Said was buried in Nir Oz, in the soil he loved so dearly, on October 18, 2023. He was 75 years old at the time of his death.
Dear Father, you were our rock. You will forever remain in our hearts with your smile, generosity, caring spirit and wisdom.
Thank you for being ours. We will always love and miss you.
