Son of Rachel and Amnon. born on December 14, 1979 in Kfar Sava. Named after his grandfather on his father’s side of the family. A second child to his parents, a brother to Hagit, Ziva, Moshe and Julie.
Menashe grew up in the Yoseftal neighborhood of Kfar Sava. Already in the kindergarten his behavior was an example for everyone, and he volunteered to help every boy and girl. From an early age he had an excellent memory. At five and a half he could and liked to read newspapers, especially the news headlines and the sports section. Little Menashe liked to play soccer, and showed a great talent in his game.
At Etzion Elementary School Menashe was “Menash”, as his friends called him, an outstanding student. The same applies to the junior high school and the Ort Shapira High School in Kfar Saba Which he successfully completed in the administration track.
Rina, Menashe’s aunt, told us about young Menashe: “You were always surrounded by friends, you were kind to everyone, even to strangers. How did you win the hearts of all of them? You were always modest, shy and kind, and you were patient and courteous. You had no complaints, and despite your shyness, you succeeded with the girls. “

In July 1998, Menashe enlisted in the IDF, he waited impatiently for the army, he wanted to be in a combat unit, and indeed reached the Givati Brigade, completing his basic training as an outstanding soldier and being sent to a squad commanders’ course. He was then sent to a sergeants course and became a platoon sergeant. Menashe served mainly in Lebanon and the Gaza Strip, where he was a commander of a post. To his friends at home he was exemplary, and many of them were urged to join a combat unit.
After finishing basic training, the soldiers wrote to Menashe, who in the meantime had been discharged from the IDF: “It is hard to find things that have not yet been said about your character and your unforgettable personality … As time passed, the distance narrowed and we only admired you From day to day …
You have always taught us the importance of friendship in the ward. It is your credit, you have succeeded in forming a group of young people from all over the country into a solid, professional unit in the company … We thank you for the tremendous investment in the department, and we want you to know that even when you worked behind the scenes, we always knew that you were on our side and would do everything for us.
And Menashe wrote to his soldiers: “I will never forget 40 frightened faces of boys who have just left home, looking at me with a frightened look … Suddenly it hits me, You have to turn them into fighters and teach them discipline, values, and most importantly care for them … I have been with you for a very long time, I have become familiar with you and I have become attached to each of you … I discovered that we are talking about soldiers, and especially people, among the best there is. “

After his military service, Menashe began working in the military industry. There, too, he quickly acquired many friends and was admired by everyone.

On Pesach Seder, 2002, Menashe celebrated with his family, and despite the terrible attack at the Park Hotel, he insisted on reading the Haggadah until the end, and the whole family celebrated Passover seder properly.
Two days later, before the start of Operation Defensive Shield, Menashe was called up for reserve duty, his first one. He joined the reserves with a sense of mission, fought in the west bank for 11 consecutive days, and when he called home he demonstrated, as usual, security and peace.

On the 27th of Nisan 5762 (April 9, 2002) Menashe fell in battle in Jenin. In a personal citation given to Menashe following his death, OC Central Command Major General Yitzhak Eitan said: “During a difficult battle that developed in the Jenin refugee camp, Maj. Gen. Menashe joined the rest of the force under fire and suffering from casualties. Maj.-Gen. Menashe, covered up while the evacuation of the wounded, when he fires his personal weapon from an inferior position, which was heavily controlled by the enemy. Major General Menashe demonstrated his commitment to the mission with great courage, courage, friendship and great devotion to his friends, and was awarded a citation for him by the OC Central Command. “

He was twenty-two years old when he fell. After his death he was promoted to the rank of Major General, he was laid to rest in the military cemetery in Kfar Sava, leaving behind his parents, three sisters and a brother.

His commander, Col. Yedidya, eulogized Menashe: “Menashe was one of our best sons, dedicated and loved by his comrades in the company, and he did what was required, and even more on the day of the command.” Menashe reached the front line first and fought bravely and with courage to rescue his comrades.
The chief of staff, Lt. Col. Shaul Mofaz, wrote to the family: “Menashe’s commanders testify that he was characterized by his love and loyalty to the homeland, and he was described as a courageous soldier who went out to fight the first front line. Menashe was loved by his friends and fought heroically in order to rescue them, while throwing his life away. “

Menashe’s memory is commemorated on the website www.menashe-haba.com

Ezra, Menashes cousin : “Everyone has a name given to him by his parents, and your name says everything about you.” All the letters of the word Neshama (soul) are found in the word Menashe, and indeed a good soul that represents all the goodness in man, Intelligence, understanding (the initials of your last name). “

Inbal, Menashe’s favorite friend, writes: “The fact that all the conversations, all the experiences, the nights, the kisses will suddenly be a collection of memories and images, the fact that I will no longer enjoy your warm embrace and hear your voice, I will not hear your good morning and the words of your love, the dream was simply interrupted, without mercy or warning. If only I knew, I would give my life for you … Hell must be here, and God would not give you up and take us because you were an angel for us even before you died … When you left, you took part of us, but each of us is left with sp much of you … Your death did not stop your love, but gave me a will and pride. I’ll never stop loving you … “
Menashe’s family wrote: “Crying eyes, bleeding heart, the pain in the soul will remain forever … Menashe, now something is missing in our world and that’s you … We get up in the morning with the absence of you and go to sleep with it. There is not a moment in the day that we do not think of you … You fought like a lion and fell like a hero, just as you wanted … You were the first of them all, you were the best, and so you will stay, Menash. You’ve implemented all the values you’ve grown up on and we’re so proud of you.
In our blood you will continue to flow!, Keep us and strengthen us from above as always! “