Omri grew up in Sdeh Dovrat, the fourth generation of the Schwartz family.
Son of Tomer and Shirly, beloved older brother to Noam and Ela, and partner to Maya. A cherished son, brother, grandson, nephew, and cousin in a large and close-knit family.
He studied for 12 years at the agricultural high school “Kadoorie,” played soccer, guitar, and was a central figure among many circles of friends. An outstanding student, Omri also took part in youth leadership, guiding in Bnei HaMoshavim and serving in the student council.
A true son of the land, Omri was deeply connected to nature and the landscapes beneath Mount Tabor, which shaped his character. He hiked Israel’s trails with passion, often ending the day in a tent under the stars, with a small fire and a pot of stew.
Born on August 1st, during summer vacation, Omri always celebrated life with joy and gatherings. He was a devoted Hapoel Tel Aviv fan, a regular presence in the stands at Bloomfield Stadium and Heichal Shlomo, proudly wearing his red shirt and scarf alongside family and friends.
After graduation, he chose to spend a year of service in Kibbutz Be’eri (2020), where he was part of Garin Zayin. He worked in agriculture, recycling, and education, and volunteered in the city of Sderot.
Omri enlisted in the Paratroopers Reconnaissance Unit (Palgat Ha’Orev), completed the demanding training, and went on to the squad commanders’ course, which he finished with honors. He stayed on as an instructor at the Infantry Training Base, and in the summer of 2023, he began officers’ training.
On October 7, Omri fought as a cadet in the battles for Kibbutz Kissufim. On December 20, 2023, in combat in northern Gaza, he was wounded in the hand but continued fighting until he was killed.
The words “Kadima Hala’ah” (“Forward, onward”), engraved on his tombstone, were his WhatsApp status—words that capture his essence: to keep moving, striving, advancing. In his squad commanders’ notebook, he had written: “When I make mistakes, I learn better.”
Among the belongings returned to his family was a journal he had kept from the start of the war. On December 2, 2023, he wrote:
“Heading out for a complex raid tonight, but the smile won’t leave my face. This is what I trained for, what I waited for. I am part of the heritage of this country. Everything suddenly makes sense—our generation, our turn. The smile doesn’t fade, because all the experiences I’ve had, and the people with me along the way, won’t let it. I couldn’t have asked for a better life. Not more loving parents, not a closer family, not a greater love, not better friends. Keep laughing and enjoying, because I lived a crazy, wonderful life.”
Omri leaves behind a legacy of quiet leadership, of smiling through hardship, and of a rare blend of seriousness and excellence with playfulness and humor.
Omri will always be remembered as embodying a rare combination of qualities and traits:
Values, Eloquence, Excellence, Resoluteness, and Israeli spirit.
(In Hebrew, these words form an acrostic spelling his name, OMRI).
