April 14, 2018, כ"ט ניסן, near Nitzana border crossing
Security Unit
War / Battle
Resting Place
Har Herzl, Jerusalem
Dedications and memories
We are Eli’s Gramma and Grampa . We love Eli so very much and miss him every minute of every day. He was so kind, loving and caring. He lit up the room when he walked in with his big smile. He made us feel loved and made us laugh with his jokes. From the first minute he was born to the last week of his life he gave us more joy and love than words can describe. He loved Eretz Israel and was very brave beyond words. We love our Eli so very much, miss him so very much and feel him with us always. He represents the best of our country. We look forward to meeting Eli again. See you again our dearest sweetest Eli. Your Gramma and Grampa love you sooooo much❤️❤️❤️
Eliyahu Drori was born on July 27, 1997 in Los Angeles CA, the second-born of Monica and Ron Drori’s 5 children. The family made Aliyah in July 2000 to Ramat Beit Shemesh. Both of Eliyahu’s parents have Israeli roots: His maternal grandmother was born here and moved to LA at the age of 13; his father Ron was also born here and moved with his family to Miami when he was a baby.
After high school at Ahavat Yisrael in Ramat Beit Shemesh, Eliyahu was in the hesder program at Yeshivat Sha'alvim. He was almost finished with his army portion, which he planned to extend, and was looking forward to going back to yeshiva after that.
When he was home, Eliyahu loved to make sushi with the family, barbeques, and spending time with his father. On April 14, 2018 Eliyahu was killed in a tank accident while responding to a possible terrorist attack near the Nitzana border crossing. After he died, one of his friends wrote to his parents: "Interestingly, out of all of us, Eliyahu was the most content with just hanging out even without a specific activity. He did enjoy bowling (he was the best) football, board games, having a coffee, but really like you said "chilling with friends" no matter what it was." During the shiva, some of his closest friends talked about how he would always be there for them to help them make decisions in life and how he inspired them toward spiritual growth. Eliyahu was buried in the Har Herzl Military Cemetery in Jerusalem and is survived by his parents and 4 siblings.
We are Eli’s Gramma and Grampa . We love Eli so very much and miss him every minute of every day. He was so kind, loving and caring. He lit up the room when he walked in with his big smile. He made us feel loved and made us laugh with his jokes. From the first minute he was born to the last week of his life he gave us more joy and love than words can describe. He loved Eretz Israel and was very brave beyond words. We love our Eli so very much, miss him so very much and feel him with us always. He represents the best of our country. We look forward to meeting Eli again. See you again our dearest sweetest Eli. Your Gramma and Grampa love you sooooo much❤️❤️❤️