Chen Even

Chen was born in Be’eri in July 1977. He loved to walk barefoot on the paths of the kibbutz, and spend long hours in the petting zoo. He was a playful, adventurous boy.

His friends knew that they could rely wholeheartedly on Chen. He would always be there, warm and cordial, considerate and gentle, offering help naturally, with generosity, humility and simplicity, as if everything was a matter of course.

Chen served in the General Staff unit. In the unit he excelled in working with cars. As a professional, he took the skills he had developed and brought them back to the kibbutz, and after his release worked in the fields. He studied land and water at Ruppin College, and was well versed in all fields of agriculture in Be’eri. He was a true farmer, hardworking, and loved the land. He was a combination of a responsible adult and a mischievous child, always with one or two children on his shoulder, or on the tractor, or on some other agricultural vehicle, on the way to or from the fields. And in between he rescued vehicles of friends or of strangers who got stuck in the mud while seeking out the magnificent anemones during the "Red South" festival.

Chen liked to go on off-road trips, which included chasing floods in the Negev. He went on nature trips with his family, sleeping in tents in the field. He loved the kibbutz very much, and was an equally rough and gentle kibbutznik. He met Rinat when she was working in a paid post-army kibbutz job at the Hatzav kindergarten. The spark ignited immediately, and they became a couple. Opposites are complementary in many ways. Great mutual respect, love and deep friendship prevailed between them.

The house of the Even family was warm and open. Chen would take care of the children, who were the center of his life and the source of his pride. Rinat cared for the whole world, always available, always concerned. The Even family home was a center of support and love on the kibbutz. They were humble, surrounded by friends, loving and loved by everyone.

Chen was murdered on Saturday morning. Messages from rescue seekers were later found on his phone. Everyone knew they could rely on him.

Tomer and Nir, the whole kibbutz stands with you. Forever.

He was 46 years old when he died.

May his memory be blessed.