Israel Prize for Heroism

Stand for Israel  |  March 19, 2024

“Team Elhanan” survivors are named winners of the Civilian Hero award on Tuesday for their bravery in rescuing dozens at Kibbutz Be’eri on October 7, reports The Times of Israel:

“We are a nation of heroes; the winners are part of a long line of heroes who have risked their lies for the nation and its country, and we mustn’t forget it,” added the minister.

On October 7, as thousands of Hamas-led terrorists stormed southern Israel, where they would kill nearly 1,200 people, mainly civilians, and take 253 hostages, Menachem Kalmanson and his brother Elhanan left their homes in Otniel and traveled to Be’eri, along with their nephew Zohar, to fend off the assailants.

In the last house they entered, in the early hours of October 8, a terrorist shot and killed Elhanan. The three have become known as “Team Elhanan.”

Shlomit, widow of Elhanan Kalmanson, said of the decision to give her late husband’s brother and nephew the award: “I received the notification with mixed feelings — excitement, longing, and pride. Elhanan loved the country and he so deserves this prize.