In 1955, a determined 18-year-old Uzi Yairi drafted into the IDF like every other Israeli his age. But Uzi was no typical soldier. The moment he first put on his uniform, Uzi embarked on a path of lifetime dedication to defending the Land and People of Israel. Starting in the Nahal infantry brigade, Uzi quickly ascended the ranks, eventually becoming a commander. In the 1960s, he joined the elite Sayeret Matkal (General Staff Reconnaissance Unit) and later served as the unit’s commander.
Among Uzi’s greatest contributions to Israel was his role in liberating the Biblical Heartland in 1967, serving as a patrol commander in the Six Day War. During the Yom Kippur War in 1973, he once again valiantly defended the Land of Israel on the Sinai Peninsula as commander of a paratrooper brigade. Sadly, Uzi lost many men under his command, imposing a traumatic toll that led him to take a leave of absence from the IDF. However, on March 4, 1975 when Arab terrorists seized control of Tel Aviv’s Savoy Hotel taking its guests and staff members hostage, Uzi could not sit on the sidelines. Having invested his life in protecting Israel, Uzi insisted on putting his uniform back on and joining Sayeret Matkal in its rescue operation. While Uzi and his team heroically took down the terrorists, the operation tragically cost him his life.
The very next year, in 1976, a group of pioneers sought to honor Uzi’s lifelong legacy of fighting and giving his life for the Land and People of Israel. In his memory, they established a new agricultural community in the Jordan Valley, calling it “Roi,” a partial acronym in Hebrew for Uzi’s full name. Following Uzi’s example, the pioneers of Roi refused to back down from a challenge. Through much toiling and hard work, they turned Roi’s arid landscape into an agricultural oasis of bountiful fields of vineyards, fruit trees and flowers!
Like many communities in the Biblical Heartland, Roi is blessed with founding pioneers who are now entering their golden years. With this new season of life come new needs, from healthcare to greater peace of mind. These original pioneers of Roi, who in the spirit of Uzi Yairi devoted themselves to restoring the Biblical Heartland, want to enjoy this chapter of their lives in dignity, good health, and security. We need your help to honor them with your love, prayers, and donations to ensure that they receive the support and care they desperately need and so richly deserve!
Learn more about the community of Roi and their current projects.