'Be kind, have good intentions, strive for excellence and enjoy life': Remembering Sgt. Omri Tamari
In the small town of Mazkeret Batya, the name Omri Tamari became synonymous with humility, quiet excellence and compassion for others. Omri, who was killed in a drone strike on the Golani Brigade training base on October 13, 2024, left behind a legacy of good deeds and memories of unconditional generosity.
'An easygoing, very pleasant baby'
From an early age, Omri was a quiet, gentle boy who brought a sense of calm to those around him. His mother, Sharon Tamari, fondly recalls his earliest days: "Omri was born after 40 weeks of pregnancy. He was our first child, a very easygoing, pleasant baby. Elad's grandmother used to call him a 'mensch.'" That description, reflecting his kindness, strong values and gentle nature, remained true throughout his childhood and adolescence.
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As a teenager, Omri's life revolved around the basketball court. His father, Elad Tamari, recalls: "Omri started playing basketball in third grade with Hapoel Mazkeret Batya. Throughout all those years, that was what defined him. Basketball really was his whole world." His mother adds that the court was about much more than sports. "That's where a very close-knit group of friends formed. They really were like brothers." Toward the end of high school, that same group of "brothers" decided to trade basketball for grueling combat fitness training with the Expert program, recognizing that the next stage of their lives would require serious preparation for military service.
Choosing to enjoy life and give to others
Omri knew how to balance his strong sense of dedication with a genuine love of life. Sharon recalls a memorable conversation at the beginning of his senior year of high school: "He said, 'Mom, I've decided that this year I'm going to have fun.' We were both taken aback. What do you mean, have fun? We thought he should be making one final push before graduation. But he insisted, 'No, we're going to enjoy ourselves this year.'" Omri kept his word. He and his friends went on a ski trip to Georgia in the middle of their matriculation exams, without neglecting their studies. "He managed to do all the things they wanted to do and still remain an excellent student, along with his friends," his mother recalls proudly.
After graduating from high school, Omri chose to dedicate his time to helping others. He began a year of volunteer service at Kibbutz Magen, working on a farm for children with special needs. His father, Elad, recalls the care and respect Omri showed the children he worked with. "He would always correct us and remind us to say 'children with special needs.' He made a profound difference in the lives of so many people he touched."
A soldier who spread kindness
The growing need for soldiers brought Omri's volunteer year to an early end, and he enlisted in the Golani Brigade. There, too, he excelled without seeking recognition. He earned certificates of excellence for his performance on the military obstacle course and the Bar-Or physical fitness test, but chose not to display them. "He spread kindness without ever expecting anything in return," Sharon says. "That was his humility. He never made a big deal of his achievements." His fellow soldiers recall how he would voluntarily complete additional obstacle courses just to help those who were struggling. "Thanks to him, we truly believed in ourselves," they say.
Omri shared a deep and loving bond with his girlfriend, Lia Cohen. "He was my best friend, the person I could turn to for anything," Lia says. "He was the perfect partner, the most wonderful person." His sister, Inbar, also recalls their close relationship. "I felt we were so much alike. Every conversation with him taught me something."
On his last Yom Kippur, Omri and Lia had a conversation that would later take on heartbreaking significance. Together, they listed all the things they still hoped to do as a couple. Just weeks later, Omri was killed.
Today, Omri's memory lives on through the black-and-white shirts his friends created in his honor, now seen throughout the streets of Mazkeret Batya. The words Lia read at his funeral, a message reflecting the values he lived by, continue to resonate with everyone who knew him: "Be kind, have good intentions, strive for excellence and enjoy life." Omri lived by those words until the very end.
Sgt. Omri Tamari, of the Golani Brigade, was killed on October 13, 2024, at the age of 19.
May his memory be a blessing.
Sergeant
Omri Tamari