Ran Sheffer
Ran was born in Neve Monosson on February 22nd, 1975, to parents Miriam and Haim when his sister Lilach was six years old. Miriam had a high-risk pregnancy and was hospitalized for a long time while expecting Ran. He was born a month early and placed in an incubator. Despite the difficulties, the expansion of the family brought great joy. Miriam was an elementary-school teacher and educator, and Haim initially worked at the Israel Aerospace Industries and then started a textile factory with a partner in Netivot, to which he commuted daily from Neve Monosson. He was killed in a car accident when Ran was four.
In the past, Miriam and Haim had considered living in a small community and relocating to a kibbutz: upon the death of her husband, Miriam decided to make the move. One of Haim’s reservist friends, who was a former member of Be’eri and had previously left the kibbutz, connected her with the administration. When the Sheffer family arrived in Be’eri, Ran joined the “Kalanit Kindergarten”. Since he had trouble adjusting to communal sleeping, his mother slept in the children's house for a whole month. He was part of the “Narkis” class, which was so small that it merged with the class that was one year older, creating the “Tze'elon-Narkis” class. Ran had a lot of friends from his group, with whom he kept in touch over the years; they were like a family to him.
Ran had a large scar on his head - a souvenir from his old house in Neve Monosson. While playing with his cousin on the top of his bunk bed, he jumped down to get a piece of LEGO and hurt his head. He was hospitalized for a month and underwent surgery.
Ran struggled with his studies, and even before finding out about his learning difficulties and attention deficit issues, his mother understood the situation. Therefore, when high school time came, she found a special school in Ramat Aviv, where he would go day in and day out by bus, and thus, succeeded in graduating from high school.
When Ran was 18 years old, his mother passed away. Since he had neither a father nor mother, he wasn’t required to join the army, but he decided to volunteer and serve in the military police. He spent most of his service working as a prison guard. After he was discharged, he went on a long trip in Asia: he visited India and Thailand. He traveled back and forth for years, searching for his place in the world.
When he went on a trip to Africa with friends from Be’eri, they returned unexpectedly for a wedding on the kibbutz. Ran continued his travels, but remained in contact with his friends from Be’eri over the years. When he was asked to come to the kibbutz and serve as the dining room manager, he immediately returned to Israel, but within a short time, he resumed his travels in Asia. Then, some 12 years ago, he decided to settle in Israel. He lived in a desert ashram for six months and considered joining the community there, but ultimately chose Be’eri: the kibbutz had always been his home.
After being accepted as a member, he started studying and became a refrigeration and air conditioning technician. He worked for years and provided his outstanding service to the Kibbutz. He was always smiling and eager to help. He then worked in construction, and three years ago he once again changed direction and started working as an educator, first in the daycare center, and then in the kibbutz school. He wasn’t an educator by nature or by training, but he was driven by love.
In 2010, during a festival in the desert ashram, Ran met Galit, a native of Kfar Saba. They got married a few months later, and Be’eri became Galit’s home as well. In 2013, they had a daughter named Emily. Zoe was born in 2015, and Nia joined the family in 2019.
In 2022, Galit and Ran separated. Ran deeply loved his daughters, and they loved him dearly. He was a devoted father, always there for them, taking care of everything they needed and desired. He took them on trips, swimming, bowling, and played board games with them. Another beloved activity was tickling... If he had his way, he would spend time only with his daughters and not engage in anything else.
Ran and his sister Lilach, who also lived on Be’eri, shared a strong bond. Lilach had gut instincts about him. She was worried when he travelled to Asia, but she knew that was what he wanted. Just as she awaited his birth for years, she waited for his return. When Ran wasn’t sure how to handle or what to do about something, he would consult with Lilach. A year before his death, Ran lost his childhood friend, Gal Milles. They were like brothers: very close and connected. Gal’s death from cancer broke Ran’s heart.
Ran was mostly known as “Chepale”, but no one remembers where the nickname came from. "In our family", says Lilach, "there were some who called him 'Roncho', and Galit’s family called him 'Sheffer'. Ran barely remembered his father, but everyone said he looked a lot like him, both in mannerisms and speech".
Ran used to practice meditation. In India, he discovered and fell in love with trance music and festivals, and these parties became his main hobby. On October 6, 2023, Ran went to the party in Re’im. People saw him there, smiling and happy. A few hours later he was murdered. When it was known that Ran had died, people who had met him at the festival reached out to Lilach and told her he had made his way into their hearts. That’s how Ran was - a free spirit. Emotion is what led him. A loving person, who enjoyed dancing. Always smiling, always good, always optimistic.
Ran brought joy into this world. Friends who were with him at the festivals said he mentioned this was exactly how he wanted to die - at a party. There is no greater contrast between Ran’s path, full of love, joy and parties, and that of his killers, full of hatred and violence. Ran’s path and the immense love he exhibited, will serve as a memory and solace for his daughters Emily, Zoe and Nia, for Galit, for his sister Lilach, and for all his friends.
May his memory be blessed.
