What were your doing when you were 24? If you’re like most people, you were likely busy building your career in your early 20s. You might have been struggling to find your footing as an adult and identify your true passion. Also, you might have been on the cusp of starting a new relationship or recovering from heartbreak.
It’s what the life of a typical 24-year-old looks like.
But for Refael Edry, life took a different turn when he entered his 20s. Born in 1924 in Safed, he is fondly remembered as Rafi Edry. He became an active part of Israel’s War of Independence. He led several operations, including a raid on the village of Sasa. He died at the age of 24 during an enemy shelling at a signpost near Revivim.
Decades later, his hometown has come forward to honor his legacy with the construction of Yad Labanim, a memorial project.
Channeling the Fighting Spirit
Rafi Edry graduated from elementary school and worked as an electrician. He then served as a guard in the Jezreel Valley before returning to Safed. Irrespective of his vocation, the desire to serve his country always motivated him.
He joined the “Learning Youth” movement and devoted his energy and time to training Safed’s youth as a commander of youth battalions. He went on to assume the role of a lieutenant commander to defend Safed and Galilee.
During his years in the military, Rafi Edry became a remarkable patrolman and an expert in weapon hideouts. He was even involved in hiding Slicks and preparing the Jewish Quarters before the War of Independence broke out.
His unwavering determination and fighting spirit came in handy during a raid in the village of Sasa, where he fought against enemy forces with nothing but a machine gun.
Preparing for War
Safed was one of Israel’s first cities that felt the tremor of the War of Independence. However, Rafi Edry valiantly fought to protect his hometown. When the British retreated from the city, he climbed to the roof of a hotel next to the British police building and hoisted an improvised Israeli flag. Flames from a nearby incendiary fire couldn’t intimidate his fearless spirit.
After the conquest of Safed in 1948, Rafi Edry was in charge of guarding enemy warehouses. But his role as a passive commander didn’t seem enough. He wanted to be an active participant in his country’s fight for independence.
That urge led him to join the battle in the Negev as a platoon commander in the Yiftach Brigade. He left Safed despite several requests from his family members and friends.
The End of a Life, The Start of a Legacy
On July 28, 1948, Rafi Edry was killed during shelling by Egyptian forces near Revivim. He was laid to rest in Ruhama and transferred to Rosh Pina later.
While his life may have spanned a little over two decades, stories of Rafi Edry’s bravery and heroism echo in Safed’s homes and streets. People still remember him for his contributions to the city’s liberation from British rule.
Be it hoisting a flag amidst incendiary fire or battling enemy forces with a single weapon – Rafi Edry’s unparalleled bravery has become an inspiration for the city’s younger generations, who often struggle to find their purpose in life.
Honoring Safed’s Hero
Several members of his family, including his nephews, continue to be an active part of the city’s community. Eyal Edry, Moshe Edree, and Rafi Edry (named after his uncle) have now raised NIS 3 million for the construction of Yad Labanim – a memorial dedicated to Rafael Edry and other freedom fighters.
The memorial will be built in Safed’s Saraya compound as part of a collaboration with the city’s municipality. The Israel Antiquities Authority has already started rescue excavations in the area. The local planning and construction committee will meet and approve the building’s construction in the coming months.
Rafi Edry’s nephews believe that the memorial isn’t simply a way to perpetuate the legacy of Israel’s fallen heroes. Instead, it’ll provide the history of the Jewish community and their struggles, and how they led to the birth of Israel.
Fallen But Not Forgotten
Nearly 4,000 Israeli soldiers lost their lives in the War of Independence. Their selfless sacrifices helped the country evolve into one of the most powerful entrepreneurial hubs worldwide. Initiatives like Yad Labanim are an excellent way to familiarize younger generations with the role of heroes like Rafi Edry in Israel’s unprecedented growth.
