Ariel Ovadia was born in June 1967 in Jerusalem to Dora and Avner Ovadia. Although she was born in Cuba, Dora made aliya from New York and is a long-standing AACI member.
Ariel graduated from Rene Cassin High School where he was remembered as an excellent student, as well as a musician and juduka.
He was inducted into the Golani Brigade in 1991 eventually going to Officer's School - where he excelled - and even taught there for two years. But he wanted to be with his chevre and convinced his commanders to let him return to Golani.
He was given command of a religious platoon and while he demanded much of them, he demanded just as much from himself, serving as an example to them.
On December 11, 1944 Lt. Ariel Ovadia was at the head of his troops when he was killed in a battle with terrorists near Marjayoun in Lebanon. He was buried in the Mt. Herzl Military Cemetery and is survived by his parents and siblings - Ronit, Yonatan and Chani.
