Captain (Res.) Yotam Lotan
Yotam began piano lessons in second grade and was hooked from the beginning. He loved classical music, songs of Eretz Israel and, most of all, the Beatles. Following his army service, where he served in the armored corps like his father, and “time abroad” Yotam pursued a degree in Behavioral Science and dedicated himself to working with youth. He was a much loved and respected guidance counsellor who truly understood his charges and earned their respect quickly through his sensitivity, attention and sense of humor, among other traits. All this time, he was also involved in musical and artistic ventures on his kibbutz. Most poignant is the account of one of his soldiers who reminisced about how, in the early days of the war, Yotam took the unit to relax in the waters of the Jordan, aware that tension could affect morale. “That act,” recalled Arik,”made me certain that I would follow Yotam into any situation with full faith in his leadership.”
Yotam was killed on August 7, 2006 by a Hezbollah-fired anti-tank missile in the southern Lebanon village of Bint Jbeil. He was 33 years old.
Yotam was killed on August 7, 2006 by a Hezbollah-fired anti-tank missile in the southern Lebanon village of Bint Jbeil. He was 33 years old.