Shachar Fridman

Shachar was born and raised in Jerusalem, son of Doron and Liat, partner to Noga, and brother to Inbar, Sahar, and Noya.

Shachar, our sun, a beacon of light and joy, heroically gave his life defending the State of Israel and the Jewish people during the war in Gaza in November 2023.

His love for people knew no bounds. Shachar was naturally drawn to help “the little people who fall in the corner of our eye,” as he wrote in his last letter to his family. He connected with them, laughed and rejoiced with them. Whether as a guide in Bnei Akiva for children with special needs in the “Yovel” tribe, where he initiated the integration of his youth group members into activities with other tribes on a rotating basis, helping elderly people on the street with their shopping bags, or befriending children who didn’t have many friends; Shachar treated everyone as equals and brought joy to all who knew him.

Our Shachar’s constant energy and contagious laughter made him the center of every gathering – the person you want at every event and celebration, he knew how to live every moment to the fullest.

Shachar’s last message to his family distills the essence of his spirit and unites his family around a shared goal to spread his teachings: “The greatest quality a person can have is the ability to bring joy to another person.”

Shachar fell in a heroic battle during “Operation Iron Swords” in northern Gaza on November 18, 2023, alongside his company commander Jamal Abbas, with Shachar serving as his radio operator and company operations officer. He served in the 101st Battalion of the Paratroopers and went on discharge leave on October 5, 2023 – two days before the terrible Simchat Torah massacre. On Simchat Torah morning, he was called up, collected new equipment (having already returned his own), and fought in the mission to defend the Gaza envelope communities.

He was 21 years old when he fell. May his memory be a blessing.