Schneider, Menachem

Son of Yosef and Sarah. Born on 25.4.1953 in Netanya, as a young son of a large family, seventh generation in Israel, he studied at the Bialik Elementary School and at the Tchernichovsky High School, He was a member of the Young Maccabi movement in Netanya, first as an apprentice and later as a guide, and in the framework of his activity in the Gadna, he completed a commanding officer’s course, at the age of 17 he was retiring from his mother. Menachem was drafted into the IDF at the end of July 1971 and assigned to the Air Force. At the end of two exhausting years, he was awarded flying wings and the rank of second lieutenant. He was assigned to one of the air force squadrons and was successful in his position. In the periodical opinion he was noted as a good, competent and efficient officer and a positive and cheerful guy who liked everything. During the Yom Kippur War he fulfilled all the tasks entrusted to him with dedication and success. He was awarded the ‘Yom Kippur War’ for his work in the war. Yes, promoted to lieutenant. In 1974 he married his girlfriend Maya. And a year later their son, Oren, was born. Their home was always open to friends and had warmth and understanding. At the same time Menahem decided to extend his service in the regular army until the end of 1977. After training he served as a flight instructor. Everyone appreciated him as an excellent guide and as a responsible and thorough officer who contributed a lot to the unit from his experience and personality. He had many friends who appreciated his simplicity, his kindness and his joie de vivre. They remember him as the symbol of life – as someone who knew how to be a good friend. Straight, modest, clever and serious – and as someone who could jump on stage, sing, dance and save every party with jokes. On the 29th of Adar 5736 (February 29, 1976) Menahem fell in the line of duty in the Masada area. He was laid to rest in the cemetery in Netanya. He left behind a pregnant wife, a son and a father. About two months after his death, his daughter Michal was born. In a letter of condolence to the bereaved family, the commander of the unit wrote: “Dear Maya, with a heavy Lev and trembling I write to you and your little son, Oren, these lines lest I detract from the image of your husband Menahem z” l. Menachem was a really beloved guide! His sense of humor, the degree of responsibility and maturity he discovered, his personality and experience contributed immensely to all of us and his students. On Sunday he took off for his last mission and never returned. In silence our heads bow. “His family donated memorial objects to his synagogue, and his friends organized, in cooperation with the family, in accordance with Menahem’s athletic character and his tendency to guidance and education – sponsored by the Maccabi and Netanya Municipality, the Rehovot race, as a memorial. Menachem’s birthday is popular and competitive, including runners and groups from all over the country with trophies and trophies for the conductors, and every year a Menachem’s windsurfing event is held, organized by his friends and family, with prestigious prizes.