Dov Kali

Dov Kali is a retired IDF colonel who commanded Battalion 58 in the Yom Kippur War and later commanded Brigade 204.

born 1932Commanding Battalion 58 in 1973Commanding Brigade 204Training Singapore's army in armor

Born: 14 October 1932, Romania
Occupation: military officer
Rank: aluf mishne

Dov Kali was born in 1932 in Romania

Dov Kali was born Bernard Klein in the town of Bereşti in Romania. In 1939 his family was deported to Galați, where they stayed until the Red Army arrived in 1944. After World War II he joined the Gordonia youth movement.

In July 1946 he sailed to the Land of Israel on the immigrant ship Haganah. The British seized the ship and held its passengers at the Atlit detention camp. He studied at the training farm in Jerusalem, fought with the Haganah in defense of the city in the War of Independence, and later studied at Mikveh Israel.

He joined the IDF in October 1950 as an infantry soldier and officer, and left in 1959 after moving to the Armored Corps. He then worked at the Ministry of Agriculture. He returned to the regular army in 1969 and held a series of command and training posts until the early 1980s.

After leaving the army he worked at Carmel Carpets and Caesarea Yarns. He also served as CEO of Slilim Hula in Kiryat Shmona.

Dov Kali's life in 8 milestones

1932
Born in Bereşti, Romania.
1939
His family was deported to Galați.
1946
Arrived on the immigrant ship Haganah and was held at Atlit.
1950
Enlisted in the IDF.
1969
Returned to regular service and was sent to train Singapore's army.
1973
Commanded Battalion 58 on the Golan Heights in the Yom Kippur War.
1975
Took command of Brigade 204.
1978
Became chief instructor at the Command and Staff College.

Dov Kali served in Armored Corps

He served in the infantry from 1950, moved to the Armored Corps, and was deputy commander of Battalion 58 in the Six Day War and its commander on the Golan Heights in the Yom Kippur War. He later commanded Brigade 204 from 1975 to 1976, was deputy commander of Division 440, and served as a liaison officer in Corps 479 in the First Lebanon War, retiring as a colonel.

Armored Corps