Shekalim, Eliyahu (“Eli”)
Son of Reuven and Shoshana. He was born on April 4, 1956 in Ness Ziona. He studied at the local State B school. He continued his studies at the vocational school in Nes Tziona, with the aim of mechanics. Eli was a member of the Hanoar Haoved Vehalomed movement from his childhood. He loved sports and took part in many running tournaments. In one of them he was even awarded a medal for his excellence. He also worked in light athletics and spent many hours riding a bicycle and a motorcycle. Riding and handling the motorcycle were very popular. Eli studied Judo, practiced target practice with an air gun, and dealt with the soccer game. And according to his friends was an excellent player. Eli loved music very much. He worked in handicrafts and created with his own hands decorations from wood and decoration of the house. He had a great love for animals, and he treated dogs and birds in the courtyard of his house with great devotion. He always helped others, was open in nature and bought many friends. His pleasant and sincere smile was one of his hallmarks. He was a devoted and loyal son to his parents and helped his brothers and sisters greatly. Until his enlistment Eli worked in his profession – mechanics, and with the money he earned he helped his parents in the household agriculture. Eli was drafted into the IDF in May 1974 and joined the Shiron Corps, after completing his basic training course, and was sent to the Armored Corps School on May 3, 1976. He was taken to the military section of the cemetery In Nes Tziona, left behind his parents, five brothers and sisters in a condolence letter to the bereaved family: “Your son Eli, who served in the unit for a long time, was an example of his comrades in his loyalty to the IDF.
