The following article appeared in a weekly newspaper published in the north of Israel:
A graduate of the “Emunah” Children’s Center in Afula, Sergeant Menachem, named candidate to receive an award for superior courage.
Foiled a Terrorist Infiltration Attempt and a Terror Attack 
A young graduate from the “Emunah” Children’s Center in Afula who insisted on taking part in shooting classes in his youth proved that all the efforts invested in him had paid off. Whilst his two hundred and fifty peers from the Haruv unit were busy and none of them noticed the terrorist who infiltrated the town of Shavei Shomron, Menachem did not hesitate to chase the terrorist shooting into people’s homes. Incidentally, the Kfir brigade is being adopted by the City of Afula, thus providing a proper ending to this story.
Menachem came to the “Emunah” Children’s Center in Afula nine years ago, to receive an education at this warm, supportive and loving home. From an early age he expressed his strong wish to be a sharpshooter in the army when he grows up. Menachem, whose family emigrated from Azerbaijan in the Caucasus Mountains, did not wish to take part in arts or glass-painting activities, kapuara, or even scouts; his heart was set on shooting class, and his insistence led to a sharp shooting course. He was the first of the center’s students to participate in shooting practice at Kfar Tavor, a course in which he persisted and reached high achievements. Then M. enlised in the IDF’s “Kfir” brigade, in the Nachson regiment, where he has been serving for over a year. Menachem, of course, provided no details about his service. All the information comes from his former classmates at the children’s center, also soldiers in the “Kfir” brigade’s Duchifat, Nachson, and Haruv regiments, a group of boys who all reached the same brigade.
Menachem saved his friends from death and was received the praise of the regiment’s assistant commander for his courage and decisive action. Sergeant Menachem identified a terrorist who entered the town of Shavei Shomron on Givat Shchem, shooting in all directions. Menachem immediately found cover and shot at the terrorist five times. At the same time, after Sergeant Menachem’s personal intervention, forces arrived and continued chasing the terrorist, who succeeded in escaping unharmed. Our reporter states that following his courageous act, Sergeant Menachem will be promoted.
Yaniv Ohayon, Sergeant Menachem’s counselor at the Afula Children’s Center, told our reporter: “Menachem was undoubtedly one of our best students. He was always known for his persistence, tenacity, devotion to the cause and adherence to the task until reaching the desired result”.
Sergeant Menachem’s friend, Sergeant Vadim from the Nachshon Regiment, added: “As in previous years, this year as well we came to our synagogue at the “Emunah” Children’s Center to pray on Yom Kippur with the people we love and appreciate and Menachem’s story is a real story of the bravery of a professional fighter. His response and resourcefulness prevented and foiled a potentially severe event”.
As a mark of appreciation, a clubhouse at the Children’s Center will be named for the Haruv Regiment
Following the strenuous combative activities of graduates of the “Emunah” Children’s Center in the “Kfir” Brigade, and particularly in the Haruv Regiment, a decision was made to name the new day care program slated to begin activities after Sukkot the “Haruv Day Care Program”. All the groups and programs are named for plants and flowers, for example: Dekel, Egoz, Rimon, Shaked, Kalanit, Narkis, Rotem, and now Haruv. This news was gladly welcomed by the soldier graduates.
The Emunotes- Jewish Agency Website
The Bulletin of Congregation B’nai Israel
UJA Federation of Eastern Fairfield County
Jewish Federation of Rhode Island
Child Reborn In Israel
By Judy Silkoff - Friday 15th December 2006
