I was Zev’s classmate at Yeshiva Akiba, and remember how highly intelligent and spirited he was. We became close friends during those years and he often came over to my apartment in Bronx, New York to study and watch tv together. About ten years later he recognized me on a Manhattan subway station, though I didn’t at first, said ‘Hi’ for a minute. Now that the internet allows us to easily find anyone and anything at any time, and I was shocked and saddened to learn of Zev’s tragic and untimely death. May his memory bless all who loved and knew him.
Zev Traum was born on November 14, 1949 to Bluma and Moshe. He studied at the Achuza Elementary School in Haifa until he was eight years old when he emigrated to New York City with his family. In New York he attended Yeshivat Akiva, Yeshivat Colombus and Lehman College.
In 1968 he returned to Israel and spent time at moshav Shitufi Todfat, where he made contact with the Nachal garin. The next year, 1969, Zev came on aliya and joined the garin after his induction into the IDF. After completing his required service, he settled at Yodfat, where he and his wife Brenda, who was originally from Baltimore, raised their family of 4 children and where Zev was responsible for flower export.
On November 13, 1989, while Zev was on reserve duty in the Gaza Strip, his jeep was ambushed and he was seriously injured. He died 2 days later from his wounds and was buried at Yodfat.
I was Zev’s classmate at Yeshiva Akiba, and remember how highly intelligent and spirited he was. We became close friends during those years and he often came over to my apartment in Bronx, New York to study and watch tv together. About ten years later he recognized me on a Manhattan subway station, though I didn’t at first, said ‘Hi’ for a minute. Now that the internet allows us to easily find anyone and anything at any time, and I was shocked and saddened to learn of Zev’s tragic and untimely death. May his memory bless all who loved and knew him.