Staff Sgt. Shai Aizik, z”l

Staff Sergeant Shai Aizik, the son of Geula and Yechiel and younger brother to Yaffa, was born and raised in Kiryat Motzkin. He was a bright and curious child who learned to read earlier than most and was known as a “bookworm.” From a young age, Shai was always seen with a book in his hand.

He especially loved adventure books, most of all those by Jules Verne. He also loved history. He had an exceptional memory, and various historical events were deeply etched in his mind.

Shai studied at the Chaim Weizmann Elementary School in Kiryat Motzkin and later at the “Achdut” school in the city. For two years, he attended high school in Kiryat Motzkin, and afterwards studied at the “Hugim” High School in Haifa. He was a gifted, knowledgeable, and modest teenager, shy and introverted, and much loved by his friends, especially the girls.

At the end of 1973, Shai enlisted in the IDF. He was assigned to the Combat Engineering Corps. After completing the required courses, he was placed as a non-commissioned officer in the EOD Unit, a role that carried many risks and demanded responsibility, seriousness, and composure.

It was during his military service that Shai felt a growing desire to study. He shared with his family how much he longed to return to learning and said that, if only he could, he would devote himself to study wholeheartedly.

Shai fulfilled his military role with excellence and even aspired to advance and attend officer's course. “Responsible in his work, loyal to his commanders, obedient, and a skilled professional,” read his recommendation for the officers’ course. After his death, his commander told the family, “Shai was more than one of the good ones. He was respected by his friends in the unit and by his commanders as a good soldier – precise, disciplined, a true friend, and someone with a strong desire to progress and excel in his service.”

Throughout his service, Shai demonstrated persistence, determination, calm under pressure, courage, camaraderie, and sacrifice. On his final mission, he went out with a fellow soldier to clear an IDF training area of unexploded ordnance left over from the Yom Kippur War. Through his actions, he risked his life to save the lives of others.

On January 21, 1976, Shai fell in an operation to clear ordnance in the Sinai area. He was 21 years old. He was laid to rest at the Haifa Military Cemetery. Yaffa, his only and loving sister, wrote in his memory, “he who lives in the hearts of those who remain is not among the dead.”

May his memory be blessed.