Shaham, Shani
Son of Yael and Haim. He was born on Thursday, 13.8.1964 in Be’er Sheva, and graduated with honors from the Tze’elim School, and as a young man he was discovered as a gifted child and when he was ten years old, he was referred to the university as part of Youth for Science. He studied art, mathematics, computers, communications and creative drama until he began high school, and was very interested in art – he was a painter and sculptor with great talent, and when he was twelve and a half he began studying cello at the Beersheba Conservatory. And received the admiration of many of the students and teachers and many certificates and awards The fourth comprehensive high school in Be’er Sheva. Theoretical studies reinforced the sciences and languages and is among the top pupils. Both were quiet and introverted person, he loved classical music and literature and was liked by everyone around him. In late October 1982 he was recruited to the IDF. Shani served in the engineering corps and graduated cum laude from a course for commanders and a course for noncoms. His desire to serve in a unit in which he would find a challenge that would satisfy his desire to express his feelings of love for the homeland and her service with all his might led him to an elite unit, the bomb disposal unit. Shani chose this unit with awareness of the danger involved, and in April 1984 he completed a course for noncommissioned bomb disposal officers. The many difficult and diverse activities included training a new generation of volunteers for the unit. In addition to operational pursuits, Shani coordinated and processed data on a computer, using the knowledge he acquired as a child during his university studies. On September 17, 1985, he fell in the line of duty. He was laid to rest in the military cemetery in Be’er Sheva. He was followed by his parents and brother Ran. His family commemorated him in a book he published, and every year his parents grant a sculpture by Shani to the outstanding student at the municipal conservatory in Be’er Sheva. In a letter of condolence to the bereaved family, his commander wrote: “Your son and friend, Shani, fell while assisting in the examination of new ammunition for the IDF, aimed at improving the army’s deterrent power. We, who knew each other for about a year and a half, absorbed a comfortable, thorough and consistent person in every direction. His seriousness, perseverance and strong desire to prove and succeed will accompany us wherever we turn. Shani radiated from his world even during restful hours, both in listening to a friend in trouble and in an attempt to impart his world to those around him in the field of literature and music … We can testify that in every business he showed professional superiority and was a model member.”