Barak's dream of a firefighting robot lives on through fundraiser

• Published date: 02 October 2021
• Author: TAL SPUNGIN
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

Using his own map to track his path, Barak rode his bicycle from the Houri family home in Ramat Gan to Petah Tikva where his friend lives – with whom he went to swimming class six days a week.

"He was so excited he didn't even say goodbye when he left the house," his mother Tzofit said.

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After two hours, Tzofit received a call from the friend's parents, informing her that Barak never arrived at their home. Following a number of missed calls to her son, Tzofit called Israel Police.

"Police knocked on my door and told me, 'There was an accident, we are taking you to [Rabin Medical Center-Beilinson Campus]," Tzofit recalled. "They showed me a photo of the bicycle and refused to give us any more information on the way there. We were feeling such intense uncertainty."

When the Houris arrived, the medical staff told them their child didn't have a pulse.

"It was over after 15 minutes, more or less," they said. "We were confused and disoriented at the time but it was over quickly," Tzofit added.

A self-taught painter, carpenter, composer and tailor, Barak did not waste a single minute of his life.

"He would constantly write up and sketch his thoughts in school, always thinking of the next project," Tzofit said. "He managed to pack five minutes' worth of work into one.

"For Barak, a problem is not really a problem but an opportunity to fix something broken," the parents said. "He's a kid who makes you want to wake up in the morning. "He gave us the motivation to be daring, to not be afraid of anything."

The parents spoke of Barak's influence on those around him, before and after his death: From a teacher of his who wants to give a lecture at the school on Barak, to children's publications that want to use his works to motivate and encourage creativity in children.

"Musicians have approached us with the intent of performing songs he has written and lead concerts in his memory," they said.

During the COVID-19 pandemic that kept students locked up in their homes, Barak thrived.

"While his classmates were climbing up walls, he was busy writing songs on his piano and painting," Tzofit said. "I can finally do the things I am interested in, instead of going to school," Barak told his mother.

That is when Barak came up with the idea of a solar-powered robot, designed to identify, locate and extinguish fires, all without endangering human...