Shlomi Davidovich, 50: Beloved family man and avid bike rider
Killed on October 7 while riding near Kibbutz Mefalsim
Shlomi Davidovich, 50, of Kibbutz Gevim, was murdered by Hamas terrorists on October 7 while out riding his bike.
Shlomi had pulled his bike over to the side of the road due to a rocket siren near Kibbutz Mefalsim and entered a roadside bomb shelter, where he shielded a number of civilians with his body, according to a local news site. When a grenade was thrown at the group, Shlomi threw it back toward the terrorist and was subsequently killed by other gunmen.
He was buried on October 15 in Kibbutz Gevim and is survived by his wife Ofra and their four children, as well as his parents, Binyamina and Gad, and his siblings Eli, Dudi and Shira.
After a long military career, Shlomi worked as a purchasing manager for the Meptagon Group.
Energy and Infrastructure Minister Eli Cohen, who met Shlomi when they took part in an officers’ course in the IDF 30 years ago, mourned his “beloved friend.”
“Shlomi established with Ofra a magnificent family, which he loved so very much. He really loved the country and the land, and enjoyed jogging, horse riding, driving his jeep and biking,” Cohen wrote. “Saturday morning, a week ago, he had gone on a bike ride from which he never returned, and even in his last moments he acted to help others and save lives.”
Shlomi’s son, Be’eri, 11, started a new school for evacuees a few days after completing the shiva seven-day mourning period for his father. He told Ynet that it was important for him to have a mezuzah afix to each doorway at the school, due to his father’s traditional values.
His mother said, “He was very close to Shlomi and it is important for him to be close to his late father’s identity.”
Shlomi’s niece, Or Mozes, eulogized him in Israel Hayom, writing, “I just can’t believe I am writing about you in the past tense. I still can’t comprehend. I don’t believe it. It feels like we’re inside one long ongoing nightmare.”
She added that she continues to believe “you will arrive any moment now, with your smile, and keep telling jokes and make us laugh as always. And, of course, with a tray full of steaks and, as always, try and persuade us to eat, because ‘it’s tasty, you’re missing out!’ (even though I’ve been vegetarian for many years).”
His uncle, Alon Eshkol, told of his grief on a memorial site and remembered how well-respected Shlomi had been in his IDF roles.
“My heart ached until they found you, endless tears of sorrow over the loss. I was with you during your various roles in the IDF and experienced the admiration of your people and commanders and my heart swelled every time we met, you with a big smile on your face.”
Shlomi’s brother, Eli, wrote on Facebook a week after he was killed that “my little brother is no longer.”
“My little brother wanted to enjoy a bike ride,” he added. “My little brother will no longer be part of the trio that lifts up our little sister for our traditional photo at family gatherings. My little brother, I love you.”
