Teacher Remembers Fallen Sgt. Nir Ben Ari as a Natural Leader

Danny Poliker, who taught Sgt. Nir Ben Ari for all six years of his studies at Kfar Galim, said he is struggling to speak about him in the past tense after Ben Ari was killed in Lebanon. Poliker, who described him as “my child,” said the 21-year-old from Kerem Maharal was the kind of student who acted with intensity, showed real gratitude, and left a deep impression on everyone around him.

Ben Ari died in combat in Lebanon while serving in the Mגלן special forces unit. School principal Alfa Winberger informed the Kfar Galim community on Saturday afternoon, writing that the school was in “a broken heart and refusing to believe” state. She noted that Ben Ari studied biology and physics and graduated in 2022. Winberger also said this was the community’s second devastating loss in a month, referring to Staff Sgt. Noam Hamburger from Atlit, whose memorial is scheduled for Sunday morning, the same day Ben Ari will be buried.

Poliker said Ben Ari quickly became a leader in class, someone who could rally others, stand his ground, and say what he thought without embarrassment. He said Ben Ari, who was politically more right-wing than many of his classmates, was still warmly liked by everyone. Over time, Poliker said, his values became clear: love of people, helping others, and loyalty to friends.

Ben Ari graduated with honors, did a year of national service, and later attended the Jerusalem pre-military academy. Poliker said he was also a standout basketball player, fiercely competitive and driven to win. Their bond went beyond the usual teacher-student relationship, Poliker said, noting that he was there for major moments in Ben Ari’s life, including getting his driver’s license and falling in love. He said Ben Ari’s messages to him after graduation now feel like a personal will, and that he plans to gather the class one Saturday to talk, remember him, and, if possible, laugh together.