Son of Yael and Pinchas. He was born on Thursday, January 12, 1970, in Ashkelon. In his youth, he moved with his family to Be’er Sheva. His extended family contributed greatly to settlement, security, and the absorption of immigrants. He was a stubborn child with a conquering smile. At just three years old, he assembled complex models by reading construction plans. At the age of four, he used to exchange books in the library and read them to his little sister and kindergarten children. During these years he began to play the organ and play the piano. He soon changed his days in kindergarten and quickly jumped to first grade. Shai had a sensitive and poetic mind, alert to beauty, and developed senses. In kindergarten, they said he was, “A smart boy, with burning eyes who want to know more and more.” He loved to draw and paint, and every piece of paper that came his way won his paintings. He completed his elementary school studies at the Maayan School in Be’er Sheva, and continued his studies at the Hareali School in Haifa and at the military boarding school. He earned additional titles there – “humanist, intellectual, and noble-minded.”
During these years he engaged in his spare time in sports, judo and long-distance running where he achieved great results. In 1984 he won third place in the National Judo Championships for boys. He participated in the Tel Aviv Marathon in the Tabor circuit and in the race of the University of Haifa. In 1987 he won first place in the traditional annual race of Lehabim, his place of residence. Shai was a boy with principles, he chose to study in the military boarding school, and destined himself for prolonged service in the army. “People like me,” he said, “should contribute to the country.” Credibility for values, friendship and sensitivity to man and nature, were key concepts in his life. His planned paintings can be found on the T-shirts, as well as in the graduation book.
In mid-November 1987, Shai was drafted into the IDF and volunteered for the Paratroopers Brigade. He went through the whole difficult route, and when he was offered a direct summons to an officers’ course he claimed “if I have to command soldiers, I have to feel what they are going through, and I will only feel that if I go through all the stages myself.” And really after a long time, he went to an officers course and returned to the brigade. When he first arrived at the northern border in his role, he said: “Only those who see our settlements from this point of view, understand what importance his service has here, and what responsibility is placed on him.” Shai combined toughness with the ability to listen, understand and a lot of mutual trust. All along he loved his soldiers and was proud of them. During these years, due to his military activity and the “adolescence revolt”, he abandoned music. But at every opportunity, and especially in the moments when he was with himself, in his room or in the shower, one could hear his singing, through which he expressed his love for music. Even during periods of fighting and training he continued to draw and illustrate, also on a company notebook and on various sheets of paper collected afterward.
Shai was wounded three times during his military service. In 1988, he was injured in an operation at the First Intifada in Tubes. In 1991, he was wounded in a collision with a terrorist in the Jordan Valley, and in June 1991, he was wounded in an outpost in Lebanon in an encounter with a squad of terrorists. His friends in the army describe him as “a military man, a brilliant officer, a revered commander, a man of stature, an iron character, and a great friend.”
On the eighth day of Kislev 5752 (14.11.1991), he fell while fulfilling his duty. Shai was killed in a car accident on the Jordan Valley Road while performing his mission. He was brought for burial in the military cemetery in Be’er Sheva.He is survived by his parents and two sisters – Chen and Paz.
His subordinates and comrades-in-arms parted from Shai at his grave: “You were our teacher and educator at the same time, you showed us what the figure of a commander is.” In a letter of condolence to the bereaved family, the unit commander wrote: “During the time we served together, with Shai, we learned to know who you were born, raised and educated. His great determination as an officer with a stature, his courage, his great devotion to the brigade, company and battalion. His great love for his soldiers, and concern for their well-being. For all these, and for many others, we found Shai several months ago to properly command and educate a paratroop company, but death robbed him of us. It pains and hurts, we will remember him forever.” A certificate of appreciation and honor signed by the head of the ACA was sent to his family. Since his fall, the traditional annual race in Lehabim has been named after him and in memory of Lt. Shai Arbeli. 22 trees were planted in the mountains of Jerusalem in his memory. Paratroopers’ recruits adopted one of Shai’s scribbled symbols, making it the company’s emblem. The sergeant was immortalized on the graduation shirts and on the company gate.
