Avshal Haran

Avshalom Haran, whom everyone called Avshal, was born on June 15, 1957, in the Borochov neighborhood of Givatayim. He was the first child of Ruth and Chaim Hertzman. His parents named him as a combination of the names of Ruth's father, Ze'ev, and Chaim's brother, Shlomo.

When he was one year old, the family moved south to the settlement of Tidhar, and two years later, they relocated to Be'er Sheva. From there, they moved to the young community of Omer, and Avshal, already a teenager, continued his studies at the "Makif High School Dalet" in Be'er Sheva.

Ruth recounts that in his childhood, he was very playful. Until ninth grade, he still made an effort to study, but in high school, he realized that he preferred to spend most of his time with friends and going on adventures. The teachers, on their part, complained to his parents that "the boy was not fulfilling his potential". Regardless, during that period, he gathered together a close circle of friends who maintained contact over the years and were nicknamed "the Be'er Sheva group."

He began his military service in the Nahal brigade, in Garin Horshim, and after continued in the Armored Corps. After his discharge, he pursued studies in agricultural economics at the Faculty of Agriculture in Rehovot, where he met Shoshan HaBaron, a member of Kibbutz Be'eri. Few believed that the relationship between the diligent, hard-working student and Avshal, who was the complete opposite, would last, but they were sorely mistaken. After their studies, the couple went on a year-long trip to the Far East and the United States. During one of their treks on a volcano in the Philippines, sporting his fashionable mustache of those days, he proposed to her. The wedding took place in the winter of 1984 when the two had already established their home in Be'eri.

Initially, Avshal worked in field, but it quickly became clear to him and his managers that he would be more beneficial in the marketing department of the printing house. Indeed, he left the potatoes behind and advanced rapidly in the new department until he was appointed Vice President of Marketing. Concurrently with his work, he studied for a master's degree at Tel Aviv University, completing it in 1996.

After his tenure at the printing house, he was elected as "m'rakez meshek" (economic coordinator) of Be'eri, and later as the CEO of Mishkei Na'Kibbutzim (the Kibbutz Holdings Group). In this role, he pushed for the completion of "Dalia Energy" - Israel's largest private power station, promoted the activities of the "To'am" shipping company and "Agricultural Insurance," and was one of the initiators and founders of "Kibbutz Energy," which is a major economic asset of the kibbutz movement.

In 2016, he decided to retire from managing Mishkei HKibbutzim, explaining that Be'eri needed him more and returned to the kibbutz to be the economic chairman. Later, he returned to Masar, the postal distribution company where he had been the first CEO, this time as chairman. In 2022, he was also appointed as chairman of Bar Distribution, when Be'eri became a partner in it.

Avshal and Shoshan had three children: Adi (1985), Yuval (1986), and Shaked (1989). In 1997, when they were still young, they went with their parents to New Jersey where they stayed for two years for Shoshan's postdoctoral studies. At that time, Avshal worked as the accountant for the Ministry of Tourism at the Israeli Consulate in New York, ensuring the supply of Bamba and Bisli for the kids who missed snacks from Israel. He – the kibbutznik with urban roots, a hummus lover who also appreciated sushi – enjoyed the time-out in the big city. He explored the city on foot and led family trips across the United States.

His love for travel manifested at every opportunity. Whether it was trips to exotic destinations abroad or within the country. For instance, he organized a spontaneous trip from Be'eri to a dark hill near Kibbutz Tze'elim to get the best view of a meteor shower. The stars might have been a bit disappointing and few in falling, but everyone who was there was left with a memorable experience.

His love for music, especially jazz, was also contagious. Every year, he would ask who wanted to join him at the Red Sea Jazz Festival in Eilat, and in between, he invited friends to join him at concerts. The beer and good mood were his treat, just like the hot tea he pulled out from the car during the meteor night.

In family gatherings, he atypically exempted himself from running the operation. He would find a corner on the side and observe from behind his sunglasses, as though mocking the event, though he was fully engaged.

On the morning of October 7, 2023, alarms sounded in Be'eri. Avshal ran to the second floor of his house to help Adi and her husband Tal bring the children to the safe room. For a long time, he refused to enter the shelter and stood outside the door with a knife in his hand, determined to protect his loved ones even at the cost of his life. On that dark Saturday, Hamas terrorists kidnapped Shoshan, Adi, Tal, and their children, as well as Avshal's sister Sharon and her daughter Noam. Avshal himself was murdered.

He left behind five grandchildren – Naveh, Yahel, Nahar Shalom, Sinai Moshe, and Ora Bara Rina. His love for them and his children knew no bounds. He always cared for them – to the point of anxiousness, some might say – and was always ready to do anything for them - and for other family members. If something was missing – Avshal would bring it. If a ride was needed – Avshal would drive. If someone was stuck – Avshal would rescue. And all this with nonchalance, as if it were the most important thing. The board meetings and balances could wait.

During long drives from Be'eri to work and back, with one leg raised beside the steering wheel, he passed the time with phone calls laced with sharp humor. When he arrived home in the evening, he would quickly head to his usual spot on the couch in the living room, watching a quality movie with Shoshan or switching channels to Hapoel Be'er Sheva. On weekends, after a challenging bike ride in the field, he would man the grill outside or mix the pots in the kitchen. The calories can be dealt with tomorrow - the main thing was that everyone enjoyed the moment.

This is how we will remember him. A people person. With captivating charisma. With endless generosity. With unconditional love.