Schneider, Menachem (Mantka)

Son of Leah and Yosef, was born on February 12, 1929, in the town of Shkodvil, Lithuania When he was six years old, on October 3, 1935, his family immigrated to Eretz Israel, where he settled in an elementary school in Kfar Sava But he did not finish six classes, but wanted to learn a profession and be of help to the parents Menachem began to work in the garage, studied customs and worked with his father, contributing to the household agriculture and Simcha in his work. In the beginning of the War of Independence after the United Nations General Assembly decided to divide the country into two states, when he was one of the defenders of Kfar Yona, he exploited the knowledge he acquired in the various courses to withstand the attackers. Menachem was transferred to a company that was then assembled in Kfar Saba and later attached to the Alexandroni Brigade. He participated in the conquest of Tel Litvinsky (Tel Hashomer), Yazur, Yehudia, Salameh, and recently – Latrun. Menachem went willingly to every place called to him, and only on the eve of his departure for Latrun was he overcome by the feeling that this campaign was not a settlement. His battalion reinforced the Seventh Brigade to Operation son of-Nun A, the first attack on the Legion in Latrun, in an attempt to break through the road to Jerusalem. The battalion went on its mission, but encountered better enemy forces and had to retreat. This battle fell on the 17th of Iyar 5708 (May 26, 1948). Even when he was in a state of despair, he beat his friends to the last. On the 17th of Cheshvan 5710 (17.11.1949) he was laid to rest at the military cemetery on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem.