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Shachar Friedman, HY”D
Born: 7th of Tishrei, 5763 (September 13, 2002)
Fell: 5th of Kislev, 5784 (November 18, 2023)
Born to his parents Doron and Li’at Friedman, he grew up and was educated in religious state schools in Jerusalem.
His family members recount that Shachar, even in his youth movement of Bnei Akiva, was a counselor for children with special needs and later dedicated his life to helping others, the weak, and people with disabilities. Shachar used to inspire his friends and instill joy in them. He volunteered regularly for various charitable organizations.
As a child growing up in Jerusalem, Shachar had a special connection with the Western Wall. He made sure to visit with his family frequently, at least once a month on Shabbat as they walked to the Wall to pray. He also attended bar mitzvah ceremonies of friends at the Wall and came every year on the eve of Tisha B’Av to mourn the destruction of the Temple.
At the age of 18, Shachar began his path in Duvdevan, where he was injured but insisted on serving even during his recovery. He excelled and later insisted on returning to combat, completing all the stages from basic training in the Paratroopers Brigade 101st Battalion. He later attended an officers’ course and became Operations Officer of the Battalion commander.
During the Sukkot holiday, he was on pre-discharge leave. On the morning of the 7th of October, when he understood what was happening in the south, without hesitation, he joined the fighting in the Gaza Envelope and helped save lives. During the ground incursion in Gaza, in the Zitoun neighborhood, he encountered a group of terrorists and fell defending his homeland.
After he fell, his family received a testament he wrote before entering Gaza. Shachar wrote individual letters to each of his loved ones, expressing gratitude to his parents for the education he received and stating that he fought for serenity in the country, for the people, and for the homeland. He also sent a letter to his girlfriend, which became a kind of “will for the people of Israel,” starting with the words “Be good people…” and continuing with, “See the people who are in your peripheral vision,” “The greatest virtue is the ability to make someone else happy,” and concluded with “As you broadcast happiness, a better world will be created…”
At the age of 21, he fell, leaving behind his parents and three sisters.
May his memory be a blessing.
