Shauli Greenglick

Son of Ruti and Tzvika. He was born on the 7th of Tevet, 5758 (January 5, 1998) in Ra’anana. He was the third child in the family and a brother to Rotem, Michal, Roi, and Daniel.

He grew up and was educated in Ra’anana, attending Amit Noam Elementary School and later the Bnei Akiva Yeshiva High School in the city.

Shauli was a handsome, spirited, and strong-minded young man with a captivating personality and a unique sense of humor. Those who loved him described him as “a radiant and extraordinary person, deeply rooted and filled with an unparalleled love for the Land of Israel. On one hand, he knew exactly what he was worth and carried great confidence; on the other, he was humble. He always knew how not to show off or look down on others. Self-assured, funny, and entertaining — always meeting everyone at eye level.”

Gifted with musical talent, he sang and played the guitar whenever the opportunity arose, enchanting those around him with his gentle voice. “The piano was the center of our home,” his family recalled. “The most natural thing was to find him gathered around it with the family, breaking into spontaneous songs that brought everyone together.” Throughout his childhood, alongside his brothers Roi and Daniel, he helped his father lead the High Holiday prayers as a cantor in their synagogue in Ra’anana.

A passionate sports enthusiast, he enjoyed playing soccer with neighborhood friends. He was awarded the “Fair Play Player” trophy by the mayor in recognition of his custom of shaking hands with the referee and the opposing team’s players after every match.

He was active in the Bnei Akiva youth movement, first as a participant and later as a counselor. In his free time, he enjoyed studying the Bible and expanding his knowledge of Jewish texts and tradition.

After completing high school, he joined a pre-military academy, where he thrived both academically and socially.

Upon enlisting in the Israel Defense Forces, he entered the pilot training program. After a year, he left the course and was assigned to the Nahal Brigade. He later completed officers’ training and served as a platoon commander in the brigade’s reconnaissance company within Battalion 931. Under his leadership, his platoon achieved first place in an IDF-wide platoon competition held at Wingate Institute, an accomplishment of which he was immensely proud. In recognition of his abilities and character, he was selected as the brigade’s outstanding platoon commander.

His parents later shared that Shauli lived with a congenital condition — night blindness — which he largely kept hidden. In darkness and without artificial light, he could not see where he was stepping. Many stories were told about his falls during nighttime marches. Yet he overcame this limitation, completed his service, and served as a combat officer. This aspect of his life was reflected in a phrase he often told his soldiers: “It’s not physical, it’s mental.”

A beloved and admired commander, he treated everyone equally and was deeply attentive to the needs of those under his command. His loved ones recalled the story of one of his soldiers from the Druze community who suffered paralysis. Shauli never forgot him. He visited regularly, sang and played music for him from the heart, and even learned a special song in Arabic to bring joy to the soldier and his family. “That was the kind of commander he was,” they said.

After his military service, he traveled throughout South America, fulfilling a dream of seeing the world, meeting new people, and collecting unforgettable experiences. Rabbi Shmuel Friedman of the Chabad House in Salento, Colombia, wrote about him:

“Thank you for the privilege of loving us and for every joyful moment we shared with you. People were drawn to your light, filled with warmth and unconditional love that flowed naturally to everyone around you. You knew how to truly see people and connect with their hearts. You always found the good in every person. Your generous spirit and kind heart were an example and an inspiration to me. Through you, one could understand the meaning of the phrase: ‘Proper conduct precedes Torah.’”

When the Iron Swords War broke out, Shauli was a civilian and was not assigned to any reserve unit. At the time, he was pursuing a lifelong dream of becoming a singer and had been selected to participate in the television competition The Next Star for Eurovision.

On October 7, 2023, Shauli searched for a way to join the fighting as a reservist. He found a place alongside his close friend, the late Captain Shay Shariz, who commanded the reconnaissance company of Battalion 931, serving as Shay’s communications officer. Shauli performed his audition for the program between preparations for the ground maneuver. Once he entered Gaza, he realized he would have to choose between continuing in the competition or continuing the fight.

He chose to withdraw from the show. In a farewell post, he wrote:

“Right now I am living an old dream — fighting for my country. A new and different dream will have to wait a little longer. At this moment, there is only one thing on my mind: to keep fighting the darkness until we see the light.”

Two weeks after publishing those words, on December 26, 2023, Shauli and Shay fell together in battle in the northern Gaza Strip.

His life reflected courage, humility, devotion to others, and an unwavering commitment to the people and country he loved. Through his music, leadership, compassion, and sacrifice, Shauli left a lasting light that continues to inspire all who knew his story.

May his memory be a blessing.