Ben Shalom, Chanan

Son of Yehuda and Naomi. He was born on the 3rd of Av, August 7, 1940, in Kibbutz Degania B. He studied at the Reali School, and completed his studies in the commercial school. He was active in the “Hashomer Hatzair” movement. Among his qualities were his love for others, a way of life for each person, and a kindness for all. The Reali School was very active in the Gadna, and before his army service, he participated in various courses of the Gadna. When he enlisted in the IDF, he volunteered for the Paratroopers Brigade. Due to his professional education, as a graduate of a commercial school, he was offered an administrative position, which he refused to accept, in his request to serve in a combat unit. He was sent to a class commanders course in Golani, where he excelled. On the 3rd of Shvat, January 31, 1960, he fell in battle near Tel Qasir, on one of the hills overlooking the Jordan Valley, where he was born, and to which he was connected. He was laid to rest in the cemetery in Degania B. The Speaker of the Knesset, Kadish Luz, said in his eulogy, “In this land you were born, the land which you protected, and now which you are buried.” A book was written in his memory, including things from his estate. On the first anniversary of his death, a library was established in his name, at the School of Commerce and Languages, ​​in Haifa. A marble plaque was set at the entrance to the cultural hall there. In addition, a library was established in his name, abroad (in San Jose, Costa Rica) in the Hebrew school named for Prof. Weizmann. His parents donated a trophy to the winning basketball team (a favorite game) as part of the Egged national competition, in all its branches.