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About Gabi

FAMILY

 

Gabi was born on February 3rd. 1988, in Rehovot, Israel, where he spent most of his life, including nursery and school. His family included his parents, Fanya and Gil, his sister Ayelet, and his brother Ben.

 

NATURE & TRAVEL

 

Gabi's family placed emphasis on the love of nature, travel and country. Even at an early age, perched in a baby-seat on a parent's back, he toured both within Israel and abroad.

As soon as he was walking on his own, Gabi became an enthusiastic participant in the weekend hiking group his family belonged to. Later he joined a biking-nature-tour group as well as a youth movement devoted to hiking in Israel.

While growing up, Gabi joined his family on trips around the word, visiting England and Scotland the USA (coast-to-coast), Italy and France, Croatia, Kenya, Thailand, Ireland and Finland His interest in both nature and people bloomed and flowered during these trips

SCIENCE

As a child, Gabi was always curious, hungry to learn more, a quick learner with an outstanding memory, getting good grades even though he spent little time on schoolwork. His interests lay mainly in the sciences: mathematics and physics. He participated in after-school activities on these subjects both at school and at the Weizmann Institute of Science.

MARTIAL ARTS

From age 6, Gabi took after-school martial arts classes. He practiced Meijin Kai (a holistic martial art using the most efficient technique for all facets of fighting). He advanced to a level where he was coaching younger students of the technique as well as working on his own proficiency. He earned his black belt just before joining the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces).


Gabi's study of martial arts helped him develop important skills, both physical (agility, coordination, fitness) and mental (ability to focus, self-restraint, a giving attitude). Alongside these, there were competitiveness and an ambition for excellence. Gabi participated in competitions such as national championships, frequently achieving first or second place.

OTHER PURSUITS

The family's pets were probably the basis for Gabi's love of animals. At 11, he began working as a dogsitter for neighbors.
Gabi loved music, too. As a child, he played a small organ, and later learned guitar.
Gabi loved challenges. This quality, together with his excellent physical fitness and love of sport, found expression in another pastime: extreme sports. He scaled cliffs and climbing walls, went snappling, diving and bungee-jumping. He requested (and got) a surfing kite for his birthday, using it before his trip to Asia. In Nepal, he experienced – and loved – river kayaking.

But above all else, Gabi was a social person, always spending much time – sometimes most of his day – with friends. Early on, he and several of his classmates (including Ofer) became a tight-knit, lively, mischievous group, enjoying each others' company throughout their school years. After graduating high-school, they took a pre-army vacation together in Finland.

ARMY SERVICE & BEYOND

 

In August, 2006, Gabi became a member of an elite unit of the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces). He completed full, active combat service, part of which was during Operation Cast Lead in 2008. Those who served with him speak of his sense of responsibility, his leadership, professionalism and determination.
During the year after his release from the army, Gabi decided to save up for a backpacking trip abroad, as many Israelis tend to do after at least 15 years of regulated frameworks (school and  army service). Because he had a knack for technology, whatever that technology was, he chose to work in a mechanical workshop, learning the secrets of mechanics . Within a short period of time, the workshop manager was assigning him tasks usually reserved for far more experienced mechanics.