In memory of Captain Asaf Master

Captain Asaf Master grew up in Kibbutz Bahan. Asaf loved hiking and discovered many hidden gems throughout the country. For many years he served as a guide in the youth movement, and during the COVID period, while doing his year of national service, he planned and built a ‘zula’ (chill-out) corner for the benefit of the kibbutz’s young people by the water reservoir, so they could get through that challenging time in a more pleasant way. Asaf enlisted in Yahalom, completed the training track in the Yael Reconnaissance Unit, and later went to officers’ training. In his first command role, he led a platoon in Battalion 601 of the Combat Engineering Corps. On October 7th, 2023 , the ‘Swords of Iron’ war broke out. At the start of the ground maneuver, Asaf, together with his soldiers, led the breach into Gaza, combining in his leadership professionalism, responsibility, humor, and consideration for others. On November 15th, 2023, Captain Asaf Master fell in battle against terrorists in the northern Gaza Strip. He ended the letter he managed to send his family with the sentence: “Keep being strong for me and for everyone.” After his fall, the family - together with the graduating class in the kibbutz - turned the ‘zula’ corner he had built into a memorial site for Asaf, and it was later upgraded with the help of donations. Since Asaf’s passing and the transformation of the corner into a breathtaking lookout point, dozens of people visit the site every week. As part of the process of enhancing the memorial site, we would like to build a lightweight canopy that will blend into the vegetation and the amazing nature around it - nature that Asaf loved so much. This is a project that requires complex engineering work and a dedicated budget in order to protect the natural surroundings and preserve Asaf’s legacy. Please help us continue to nurture and develop this place in his honor and memory, and for the benefit of its visitors.