In a heartfelt social media post, Israeli social activist and IDF reservist Yechiel Radutsky shared a powerful personal memory of Elchanan Kalmanzon, a fallen Israeli hero whose selflessness touched countless lives long before he made the ultimate sacrifice for his country. Radutsky recounted their first meeting—a simple moment born from a desire to cook cholent (the traditional Shabbat stew) during a week of security duty at the community of Otniel in southern Mount Hebron.
An Unexpected Bond Over Shabbat Cholent
In 2015, while serving his reserve duty, Radutsky posted on Facebook about his assignment at Otniel, asking friends if they could help organize meals. Among the first to respond was Elchanan Kalmanzon, a local resident. “He sent me a message saying he could help,” Radutsky recalled. “I told him I was missing a few ingredients for the cholent. Without hesitation, Elchanan offered to host me for Shabbat instead. But I was determined to cook.”
The next day, Kalmanzon arrived, his hands full of supplies—everything needed for a perfect Shabbat meal. When Radutsky asked for a photo together, Kalmanzon modestly declined.
A Friendship Built Across Distance
From that encounter grew a deep, long-distance friendship. “We wrote constantly about everything in life,” Radutsky shared. “He knew all my struggles, but he never pried. He just listened.”
There was one thing Kalmanzon persistently asked: “When are you coming to spend Shabbat with me?”
Radutsky admitted he always found reasons to delay. “I said no dozens of times. Each time, he accepted it without pressure, still offering again.”
Radutsky never fully knew what Kalmanzon did for a living—but he knew Elchanan respected every soldier, every security officer, and loved his people deeply.
A Hero Remembered
Elchanan Kalmanzon’s story, known to many Israelis, is the stuff of legends. On October 7, 2023, during the brutal Simchat Torah attacks, Kalmanzon rushed to the frontlines at the Gaza border, single-handedly engaging and eliminating dozens of Hamas terrorists. His actions saved hundreds of lives, sparing Israeli communities from even greater tragedy.
“Elchanan didn’t just fall as a warrior—he lived as a humble, loving soul who saw the good in every person,” Radutsky wrote.
In a tearful closing, Radutsky confessed: “I miss you, my brother Elchanan. I admire your spirit, your bravery, your simplicity, your humanity.
It burns my soul that I never made it to your Shabbat table.”
