Yossi Sharabi

Yossi Sharabi was born on September 16, 1971, and grew up in the Tel Aviv–Ramat Gan area in a warm, close-knit family.
He was the eldest of four siblings and was known from childhood as a quiet, modest, and caring person.
In the early 1990s, he chose to leave central Israel and move to Kibbutz Be’eri, following his brother Eli, who had found a home there.
That decision marked a conscious choice to live a communal life — one of togetherness, cooperation, and contribution to others.

At Be’eri, Yossi met Nira (Herman), a nurse by profession. They married and built a loving home, raising three daughters — Yuval, Ofir, and Oren — in an atmosphere of warmth, humor, and affection.

He was a devoted father, deeply involved in every detail of his daughters’ lives, always ready to help, listen, and encourage.
Friends described him as someone whose smile lit up every room and whose calm presence brought comfort even in difficult times.

For more than two decades, Yossi worked at Be’eri Printing Press, rising to the position of Marketing Manager.
He was known as a dedicated, professional, and principled worker who combined business responsibility with a deeply human touch.
Beyond his professional role, he also served the kibbutz community in public positions, including as secretary and committee member.
Those who knew him said, “There was nothing Yossi was asked to do that he didn’t do — always quietly, with a smile, and an open heart.”

Yossi was an avid sports fan, especially of football. Maccabi Tel Aviv was his lifelong passion, but Real Madrid and Manchester United were also his “home teams.”

He watched matches with his daughters and told them stories about players he admired.
In recent years, he discovered a new love — surfing — and often went on weekends to the beaches of Zikim and Ashkelon “to catch a moment of peace by the sea.” As Nira described him, “A man who knew how to find beauty in simplicity and serenity in small things.”

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On Saturday, October 7, 2023, Kibbutz Be’eri was attacked by Hamas terrorists.
That morning, Yossi, Nira, and their three daughters hid in the family’s shelter.
After several hours, terrorists broke into their home.
Yossi tried to protect his family and offered himself in their place.
He was kidnapped across the border into Gaza along with two other Israelis — Ofir Engel and Amit Shoni.
Nira and the girls managed to escape and survive, but Yossi was taken captive.

He was held under harsh conditions in Gaza for 97 days.
On January 10, 2024, Hamas released footage showing him alive; the next day, it announced his death.
Yossi was killed in captivity and never returned home.

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May his memory be a blessing.