Shchukin, Michael (“Misha”)

Son of Gitla and David Hacohen. He was born in 1896. He served in the Czar’s army and after the Bolshevik Revolution he left Russia to immigrate to Eretz Israel, and on his way to Israel he spent some time in Turkey, where he worked in a factory. His wife Devorah was also on her way to Eretz Israel, they met, married and together arrived in Israel in 1925. They lived in Tel Aviv and later moved to the Hatikva neighborhood where they built their home, where Michael worked as a carpenter and in the distribution of milk. Michael was an honest man and worked with the sweat of his brow from morning to evening. He excelled in kindness, in the joy of life and in the love of people. Despite his hard work, he spent hours doing charity. He collected money and distributed it to poor widows in his neighborhood. He also collected donations for the purchase of a Torah scroll. On 10 Kislev, November 15, 1945, he went to work in Tel Aviv and was arrested by a British checkpoint, where a large crowd formed. The British shot at the crowd, injuring many including Michael. He was laid to rest in the Haganah section of the Nahalat Yitzhak cemetery. He left his wife and a son who were then in the Netherlands in the ranks of the Jewish Brigade.