Daughter Meira Kesten and Yosef Kopelman, a young sister to Liat. She was born on February 6, 1980 in Pardes Hannah. Her mother writes: “It’s hard to tell about a girl – so special and decide what to write about her – from the moment she was born, she was a kind of smiling, playful, and especially curious child, and she used to ask and interrogate and not let go until she got answers to all her questions.” She was very fond of sports, practiced gymnastics, skated roller skates, and participated in swimming competitions as part of her activities at the Wingate Institute. Except for a kind of love sport to paint and play the piano and succeeded in everything she touched. She was always surrounded by friends and friends and the house was open and full of laughter. A kind of love to help and volunteer and help new immigrants from the former Soviet Union to be absorbed in the school, learn the language and feel that they belong. At the same time she volunteered to help the elderly and the animals that were her main love. She had always tried to do everything in a quiet way and to keep up with whatever she had taken upon herself. At the age of nine, when she was in fourth grade at the Alonim Elementary School, the life of this smiling, successful girl, who was alive, suddenly changed. A malignant tumor was discovered in her head and she underwent a complicated operation to remove it. Maayan, as the “kind of a surfer,” proved that with a strong willpower from life, she is able to cope with everything. She was determined to get out of the disease at any cost. Quietly and steadily she recovered slowly and became a model and example to others, who drew strength from her and helped her through their healing process. The transition to high school was not easy. She recovered from the illness but had few friends left with her during the difficult moments. Determined to pass this hurdle too, Maayan decided to move to another school and open a new page. And so she reached the Mevo’ot Iron High School near Kibbutz Ein Shemer. Soon the guys saw who they were dealing with and immediately gathered around her a large circle of friends, who accompanied her everywhere and at every hour, loving her without limits. And here, too, in the new school, quietly and modestly she made friends with the new immigrants from Ethiopia and helped them cope with the new environment and absorption in Israel. A kind of very love of art, and as part of her graduate studies in the art track, where she studied, she submitted the book “A Book about Van Gogh,” and received a grade of 100. During her studies at the Mevo’ot Iron School, she discovered a new kind of love – Many are developing new varieties of plants. She wanted to prove that despite what she had passed she could win and indeed achieved excellent achievements and won praise from Moriah and her manager. The teacher and director Ronen Dori says: “Maayan made many achievements, with the title being her matriculation work, which she wrote in the framework of art studies on Van Gogh, a work that won praise from the then minister of education and an excellent grade. Maayan was not satisfied with her studies alone. She decided to return to her old love, interrupted by her surgery-the sport. She came to the Wingate Institute for sports and swimming training, and like everywhere, she was also excellent here. She was able to travel the world a lot, explore new cultures and enjoy and even participate in sports competitions in Greece. She graduated from high school with many dreams. Maayan had a driver’s license and was determined to serve in the army at any price. When she arrived at the induction center, she declared assertively, “I serve only far from home and at a closed base, otherwise I do not enlist.” Needless to say she got what she wanted as always, which made her happy and proud. The long-awaited day arrived in September 1999 and she showed up at the recruitment center in Haifa. Ma’ayan was assigned to the IAF. When she returned home on weekends, she did not stop telling about the amazing friends who served her, the commandersExcellent and interesting work. She remembered the birthday dates of all the servants with her and it was important for her to make them happy and surprise them. In the short time she was in the aviation squadron and the track services company, she made friends with everyone and bought new friends. Her commanders surprised her and on Hanukkah vacation she was informed that she had received a medal from the Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, Ehud Barak, for her work and contribution. On the 15th of Adar 5760 (March 15, 2000) Maayan fell while she was at her service, and without any prior warning she was taken in her prime in her twenties, when she was laid to rest in the military cemetery in Pardes Hannah. “ninth. Her commanders and fans write: “We will remember your warm and optimistic smile, that work has always been your first priority, and that through you we have learned your great love for the family.” Brigadier General Dov, commander of the unit, writes to her mother and to Maayan’s sister, Liat: “Her belief in the justice of the road, her ability and devotion to the mission were one of her main characteristics. Her modesty, her captivating smile and the inner peace she had enjoyed, helped her to acquire many friends in Gaff and in the squadron, officers and soldiers alike. Maayan’s medical profile enabled her to give up her military service, but no female soldier would exploit this. In recent times we have accompanied Ma’ayan in her struggle until the last few minutes. “Iain Kesten, Maayan’s aunt, read from the fresh grave things she wrote:” Ma’ayan, remember you as a cute, playful baby smiling on Grandpa Shmuel’s lap, always sitting, asking, researching Checking everything. And you grow up and go kindergarten and then to school … friends, friends, piano and gymnastics, and you are always so quiet as if a secret keeps, and always believes that everything will be okay, mediator, love and solve everything. And you finish your studies at the Mevo’ot Iron school, proudly wearing a uniform, the IAF uniform, which made you so tired … Then a cruel fate comes to your soul … our kind, which is already somewhere up there and I hope you will A smile of angels. “Her aunt, Amalia Kesten, writes:” The story of Ma’ayan’s life, which descended as an angel on a mission from heaven, has ended and the world embraces its wings. “And she wove and woven the strings / and connected worlds and people, family and friends. “From the words he read from Ma’ayan’s personal command, which is in contact with her family, on her grave at the end of the shiva,” I met Ma’ayan during the course of the shiva My position as the Division Commander. It was a pleasure to work with her, always smiling, laughing and full of happiness. A kind of laughter, a kind of devotion, a kind of love, a kind of non-stop work (even when all the soldiers would go on a kind of vacation that did not ask or demand. I will not forget how every Sunday you would come with surprises to the office: a tablecloth, a radio or cookies from the house … a good friend, full of joie de vivre, who wanted everyone to have a good life. We can only pray and ask the Lord to look after you. , A friend of Maayan from the unit, writes to Maayan and the family: “… when I sat with you in her home, I felt so much warmth and love, I was in touch with Maayan but not enough, I’m sure we’d get along fine … but one thing I’ll always remember, The glittering ones who smiled at me in basic training and strengthened me all the way and will strengthen me even now … “Maayan’s friends in high school, Kedma, Sivan, Irit and Oshra write to her: You alwaysWe will remember the Zohar in your face and the happiness of your life, with the good will to help everyone, with the hope you have given us all. Thanks for three beautiful years at Mevo’ot Iron. They love you always. “The Giat family, close friends of the family, write:” Her dedication to the people and the homeland, the spirit of volunteerism and Maayan’s personal example. May we serve as an example for all of us, from whom we will learn to do for the sake of others, to do for all of Israel, for the sake of the Land of Israel and the State of Israel. We are a prayer that forever and ever, our good deeds will illuminate for us and the entire family the best way. “Ruti, the family friend, writes:” Oh Ma’ayan … Oh my kind! So kind, so nice, so kind! You, who are fighting bravely all the time; You, who held the status all along; You, who were concerned with the delicacy and quietness of those around you; You, who knew so well to connect and be liked by everyone; “In his first diary, when we saw your smile, we immediately realized that a soldier like you did not see every day. Maayan was a stunning soldier, organized, organized, intelligent, courteous, clean, punctual, diligent, smiling and full of energy. Maayan was part of a large family and its loss is a part taken from our bodies and in our hearts it will be missed. “A clear day came to us a nice and nice soul / And since then and to this day the connection continues and did not hang up / Even if you are not here with us in your body / You always remain / In the imagination, Yours, like the uniform / like your soul. ” When I heard that you were hospitalized, I felt a tremendous need to visit, but I lingered in this decision, because it hurt to see you, And I’m glad about it, because I remember you the way you were in the good old days. ” Orit, a close friend of the unit, says: “I met Ma’ayan during my service at the base, and we served together in the same division and in the same office. The plants that you brought are very important to me because they are part of you, a part that continues to live and symbolizes you, I will always remember you, my good friend. Be strong up there and the angels of heaven will protect you. Tamar, Ma’ayan’s professional officer, who remains a family friend to this day, writes to her: “Ma’ayan, it’s hard to think of your name without hearing the laughter that plays with it – always! Thank you for giving me the right to know you. In this short period you have registered me in your extraordinary personality. Your determination to serve in the army, the war you fought to be a soldier, and the soldier you were dedicated and responsible are admirable. You always arrived early and walked only when you were sure there was nothing more to do in the office. The more I got to know you, the more I realized that the army was just one of the goals that you set for yourself and fulfilled all the others. You’ve always moved on and on, you have not chosen the easiest and the toughest option for yourself. I remember that you called me on Saturday and apologized for not feeling well and maybe after Sunday … I try to console myself with the fact that at last you do not feel hurt or hurt, but refuse to part with you. I want to hear that laugh again. I hope that the delegation of angels waiting for you knows that you are too good for her too. Take care of yourself and the eternal smile. Love, Tamar. “
