Shafir, Chaim-Meir

Son of Nachman. Born in 1896 in the city of Barshad, Ukraine. In his city Chaim received a general and Zionist education and in 1925 he achieved his dream and immigrated to Eretz Israel. The family settled in Haifa and Chaim was one of the first builders of the Neve Sha’anan neighborhood, a remote and detached neighborhood, in those days, of Jewish neighborhoods in Haifa, and it was real pioneering to live there. Upon his arrival, Chaim joined the ranks of the Haganah and during the bloody events of 1936-1939 took part in many of its activities in the defense of Jewish life and property. His livelihood was in the transportation of the “Shal” oil company and its distribution in all neighborhoods of Haifa – Jewish and Arab alike. Chaim was a man in the full sense of the word. Helped his many friends with good advice, whether in getting a job, which was very connected during a period of lack of work, whether with a financial loan or signing as a guarantor for loans that sometimes he even had to repay them from his pocket. His dedication to work was exemplary. No rain and no sword prevented him from his role and during the years of the events, when Jews were killed as bystanders, did not stop his manner because his broad heart had faith in everyone. On 20 Cheshvan, 13.11.1938, he died in an explosion caused by Arabs while delivering gasoline. He was brought to rest in the Haifa cemetery and left a wife and three sons, two brothers and two sisters.