Son of Ora and Moshe. The eldest son of his parents, was born in Upper Nazareth on the 26th of Tammuz 5737 (26.6.1977). He received the name Shahaf following his father’s work on the sea. The celebration of Shachaf’s circumcision was postponed and lasted a month after his birth because he suffered from weight loss. Shachaf survived the hardships and grew up as a beautiful, charming and loving child who loved his family. Even at an early age, he had shown a strong love for animals, and when he was in kindergarten raised his own cat. Shahaf had always had a unique relationship with his father and mother. When he grew up a little, this connection was expressed by reading books in English, especially books of stars and zodiac signs. Shahaf liked to do the kiddush at home on Fridays and sing prayer songs that made him feel good. When he was four and a half years old, his brother Ilan was born, and Shahaf chose his name. The connection between them was strong and expressed support and protection throughout the school years. He never forgot the birthday of one of the family members and was happy to give them gifts. The grandmother relates that Shahaf was the only one of her grandchildren who devoted his time and was involved in the cultivation of her garden. Even as a soldier, he did not forget to visit the grandfather and grandmother, with all his heavy equipment – even for a few minutes – “to say hello.” When Shachaf went up to first grade, the family moved to Arad. Shahaf began studying at the “Levut” elementary school, and later at the ORT high school in Arad, specializing in mechanics. Since he had a musical ear, he began studying at the same time playing organically and in the recorder, and often performed at school parties. He also worked in swimming and karate, was interested in tennis and loved the car business. Shachaf grew up and became a diligent and caring young man. He paid close attention to his family and relatives. Friends defined him as a “true friend, who invented the word ‘give’.” This was also evident among his friends, for whom he worked to improve various issues. His inner beauty was enhanced by an external beauty – he dressed in style, calling him ‘Elvis’ or ‘Prince of Wales’. He had a warmth, a sense of humor, a cheerfulness and a special language that invented her words – which made his special connections. When he was fifteen, his parents divorced, and Shahaf and Ilan moved in with their father and his wife, Adriana and her children – Pablo and Jonathan – and became a family in every way. Throughout his life, Shahaf has maintained close contact with his mother and was happy to perform kiddush on Fridays and holidays. Shahaf spent most of his free time listening to music, in English and Hebrew. He liked cinema, among other things he liked to watch Indian films and films about Judaism. In his beloved Ten Commandments, he watched many times, admiring movie stars Danny Kaye and Sylvester Stallone. Shahaf liked to travel around the world with his mother and father. His last trip was in London with a friend. His girlfriend Etti says that he was a very romantic man, used to spend with her in a special place on Shfayim Beach, which he chose for both of them, and dedicated a song by Sivan Shavit. In February 1996, Shahaf enlisted in the IDF and was stationed at the Sufa checkpoint, where he demonstrated dedication, responsibility, a sense of humor and good human relations with those around him, as well as immigrants from the former Soviet Union who helped them a great deal. “The last trip that Shahaf took part in was a visit to the Western Wall as part of his military service, a place he wanted to visit for a long time. Before his release, on the 19th of Cheshvan 5759 (19.11.1998), Shachaf fell during his service at the age of twenty-one. He was laid to rest in the military cemetery in Arad. Survived by his parents and brothers. His family commemorated him in special ways: a stone monument with a statue of a seagull in a constant movement of climbing, by the artists Avital and Alon Ahron was placed at one of Arad’s observation points, in the direction of the Dead Sea. In addition, his mother, Ora, initiated and donated a living corner to the children of Kfar Neredim, a children’s village on the outskirts of the city. In this way, Shachaf who loved children and loved animals was commemorated and always volunteered to take care of them. The kindergarten will serve as a place of psychological treatment for children in need in the future, using treatment methods that help with animal contact.
