ABOUT BENJI
Benji Hillman z”l was born on Tishrei 12, 5740 (October 3, 1979). He lived in Kingsbury, North-West London, with his parents, Judy and Danny, and his older sister, Abigail.
After Benji’s younger brother Shimon was born in 1982, the family made aliyah in December 1983 and settled in Ra’anana.
Benji and his siblings attended the local religious primary school, Ariel, and from the age of 11 Benji went to Kiriyat Ya’acov Herzog (Mechina) in Kfar Saba, transferring, three years later to Midrashiat Noam in Pardess Hanna. After graduating high school in 1997, Benji spent a year at Bnei David, the pre-military Mechina in Eli, prior to enlisting in the army in 1998.
Benji joined the IDF in August 1998, in the prestigious Egoz commando unit, a section of the Golani brigade. He completed basic training with distinction and was named the outstanding soldier in his battalion. After graduating from Officers’ Training School in 2000, he held a number of positions both in Egoz and in the Golani 51st battalion, culminating in the position of company commander in the Egoz unit – the position he held when he was killed.
During the course of his service, Benji was sent abroad twice by the army: once to the USA to observe the US Rangers in training, and the second time to Canada to represent the IDF at the annual “March for Israel” in Toronto, where he also lectured at many schools and businesses.
In June 2006, Benji married his long-time girlfriend, Ayala Borger.
Less than a month later, on 20th July 2006, Major Benji Hillman was killed in action in a battle in the Lebanese village of Moran a-Ras at the beginning of the Second Lebanon War.
Benji’s legacy lives on, through HaBayit shel Benji.
