Efraim was born in Petah-Tikva on March 31,1923 to Hana and Ben-Zion, among the founders of Kfar-Sava. He was educated on love of nature and a strong bond to the land and its wildlife. From a young age he assisted his father in handling the estate and their orchard.
He had a phenomenal memory, recited bible verses without any aid, and excelled in Chess. An excellent athlete, he specialised in football. He was introverted, quiet, sensitive and vulnerable, and never really opened up to strangers. After he graduated from primary school in Kfar-Sava, he continued studies in Petah-Tikva. Aged 14 he joined Etzel’s youth division, and after the split, moved to Lehi, as did older brother, Yehushua (“Meir”). During the first “Saison”, in 1942, he was kidnapped by Hagannah members and tortured for three days. They tied him up and hung him by his hands. After this ordeal, lasting about an hour, he was thrown in to the back of a truck and dumped on the side of the road. Before he had a chance to recover, a British patrol passed by and he arrested him.
As a political prisoner he passed through all the prison camps of Israel and Africa (Mizra, Latrun, Sudan, Eritrea and Kenya) of the time. He was released together with the Kenyan exiled prisoners, in the summer of 1948.
After his return he joined the IDF and participated in the conquest of the Galilee, having excelled as a Platoon commander.
He served in different posts in the Negev as an instruction officer.
On 14 August 27,1950 his vehicle ran over an anti-tank landmine; Efraim was killed. His kindness and bravery shone through at the time of his serious injury, as he asked the physician to tend to his friends first, for he was about to die anyway.
Efraim was laid to rest in the military cemetery of Kfar-Sava.
Following his death, the family donated a silver trophy to Kfar-Sava’s “Hapo’el” Group in his memory. After the yearly competitions, the family awards the trophy to the winning team.