Esther Ben-David was born on April 5, 1948 in New York City to Moshe and Penina Spector. She studied at Yeshiva University's High School and obtained a BA and MA in Political Science. At the age of 19 she met and married Beni Ben-David.
In 1972, Essy - then 24 years old - and her family, including three children, made aliyah. They joined Moshav Ramat Magshimim in the Golan.
On February 11, 1974 the Syrians began shelling the Moshav. Essy, on her way from the Tipat Halav with her infant son, was hit by shrapnel and killed instantly. She was buried in the Mt. of Olives Cemetery in Jerusalem.
