A Moment for Them: IDF Fallen Born in June
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Erez: the hero born on June 11
Staff Sgt. Erez (Chuki) Mishlevski, a fighter in the Givati Brigade’s Tzabar Battalion, was an accurate marksman and a commander of quiet spirit. An outstanding athlete, a loyal friend and a man with a big heart, he knew how to lead with humility and act with responsibility and personal example. He was the partner of Eden, with whom he planned a future of studies, travel and life together. He fell in combat in the northern Gaza Strip after an anti-tank missile struck the Namer armored personnel carrier in which he was riding. Mishlevski was 20 when he fell, from Oranit, and left behind his parents and three siblings.
38 gallery views Staff Sgt. Erez Mishlevski, of blessed memory (Photo: IDF Spokesperson’s Unit)
Ron, Osher, Amit and Elkana: the heroes born on June 10
Capt. Ron Tzarfati of Hadera was an Air Force officer, served in the electronic warfare system at the Ein Shemer command center, and as a security officer in the Northern Air Control Unit on Mount Meron. An upright commander who loved people, a gifted dancer, a true friend and the partner of Idan Hermati. She was murdered at the Nova festival near Kibbutz Reim on October 7 together with her partner. Tzarfati was 22 when she fell and left behind her parents and two brothers.
38 gallery views Capt. Ron Tzarfati, of blessed memory
Sgt. Osher (Simcha) Barzilai was the operations sergeant in the Gefen Brigade, Gaza Division, at the Nahal Oz outpost. A gifted, brilliant, intelligent and sensitive young woman, with a big heart, natural leadership and endless giving, she volunteered with Magen David Adom, excelled in her studies and dreamed of becoming a doctor. She fell in combat at Nahal Oz on October 7 after acting with courage and saving many. Barzilai was 19 when she fell, from Mazkeret Batya, and left behind her parents and five siblings.
38 gallery views Sgt. Osher Simcha Barzilai, of blessed memory (Photo: IDF Spokesperson’s Unit)
Staff Sgt. Amit Most was a fighter and combat medic in the Nahal Reconnaissance Unit, in the “Orev” company. A smart, sensitive and beloved young man, with high emotional intelligence, generosity and deep responsibility for others, he volunteered with Knafaim Shel Cremsbo, loved music and played the drums. He was the partner of Adar, with whom he planned a shared future. He fell in combat at the Sufa outpost on October 7 after repeatedly going out under fire to evacuate and treat the wounded. Most was 20 when he fell, from Modi'in-Maccabim-Re'ut, and left behind his parents and two brothers.
38 gallery views Sgt. Amit Most, of blessed memory
RSM (res.) Rabbi Elkana Weisel was a devoted family man, the partner of Galit and father to Avinoam, Yahel, Aluma and Arga. A teacher in every fiber of his being and deeply beloved by his students, he worked for the organization “Latet Po” and led safety workshops in schools across the country. He fell in the building collapse disaster in central Gaza in January 2024. Weisel was 35 when he fell, from Bnei Dekalim, and left behind his wife, four children, parents and seven siblings.
38 gallery views Rabbi RSM (res.) Elkana Weisel, of blessed memory (Courtesy of the family)
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Itai, Alexander and Kalkidan: the heroes born on June 9
Staff Sgt. Itai Saadon from Har Halutz in the Upper Galilee was a smart, calm and responsible young man, with exceptional curiosity, a love of technology and aviation, and quiet leadership. He served as a fighter and tank commander in the Armored Corps and took part in fighting in the northern Gaza Strip, where he fell in combat in November 2023. Saadon was 21 when he fell and left behind his parents and a sister.
38 gallery views Staff Sgt. Itai Saadon, of blessed memory (Courtesy of the family)
RSM (res.) Alexander Spitz from Karmiel immigrated to Israel with his family from Moldova. He was a devoted family man and a fighter driven by responsibility. He was a gentleman, with patience and boundless love. He worked as safety officer for Tnuva in Ashkelon. He served as an infantry fighter during reserve duty and fell in December 2023 after saving the life of another soldier who was wounded in combat in the southern Gaza Strip. RSM Spitz was 41 when he fell and left behind a partner, his son Idan and three siblings.
38 gallery views RSM (res.) Alexander Spitz, of blessed memory
RSM (res.) Kalkidan Mehari from Petah Tikva immigrated alone from Addis Ababa in Ethiopia at age 18 in order to enlist in the IDF. He was a man of kindness, good-hearted and humble, hardworking and optimistic. He worked as a photographer and bus driver, and was the partner of Kanobsh. He served as a fighter in Golani, and in the reserves in Battalion 223 of the Carmeli Brigade. Mehari fell in combat in April 2024, when he was hit by an explosion in the building where he was staying near the Netzarim Corridor in the central Gaza Strip. Mehari was 37 when he fell and left behind his parents and 11 siblings.
38 gallery views RSM (res.) Kalkidan Mehari, of blessed memory
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Netanel and Yinon: the heroes born on June 8
Maj. (res.) Netanel Herschkovitz was a special person who always saw others and wanted to do for them, talented and beloved, who always acted modestly and with a smile. A devoted family man with a deep sense of mission. He was married to Liron and father to Noam, Itamar and Ori. He loved traveling with his family in the Land of Israel. He served in the Armored Corps as a fighter and commander and took part in combat. He fell in battle while firing at terrorists and covering his friends under fire with exceptional heroism in the northern Gaza Strip in October 2024. Herschkovitz was 37 when he fell, from Jerusalem, and left behind his wife, three children, parents and six siblings.
38 gallery views Maj. (res.) Netanel Herschkovitz
Sgt. Yinon Noriel Vanna was a value-driven, smiling and beloved young man, with a good heart and a natural sense of responsibility toward those around him. He served as a technology and maintenance fighter in the Golani Reconnaissance Unit, מתוך deep commitment to the people and the state. He fell in July 2025 in Khan Younis after an explosive device was attached to the Namer armored personnel carrier in which he was riding. Vanna was 20 when he fell, from Kiryat Tivon, and left behind his parents and six siblings.
38 gallery views Sgt. Yinon Noriel Vanna, of blessed memory (Photo: IDF Spokesperson’s Unit)
Alon: the hero born on June 7
Staff Sgt. Alon Davidov was a kind and smiling boy, an outstanding student, loving of people, a volunteer with Magen David Adom, and a fan of chess and sports. His teachers and friends described him as “a flower that was the salt of the earth” and said Alon was a quiet, modest and charming student. He enlisted in the IDF and served as an operational driver and later as a fighter and combat medic in the Combat Engineering Corps. In June 2025, during an operational activity in Khan Younis, he was killed by the explosion of a charge in the APC. Alon was 21 when he fell, from Kiryat Yam, and left behind his parents and a sister.
38 gallery views Staff Sgt. Alon Davidov, of blessed memory (Photo: IDF website)
Adi, Guy, Idan and Eran: the heroes born on June 6
Capt. (res.) Adi Behar Rabinovitz was a beloved and sociable man who loved cooking and hosting, family Friday-night meals and time with his family. He continued serving in the emergency squad in Netiv HaAsara, and kept contributing even at an older age, מתוך a deep sense of responsibility and commitment. On October 7, when a call for help came from members of the emergency squad in the moshav, he did not hesitate and joined them. Adi eliminated terrorists who infiltrated the community and protected the residents until he fell in battle. He was 62 when he fell and left behind a partner, two children and two brothers.
38 gallery views Capt. Adi Behar Rabinovitz, of blessed memory (Credit: IDF Spokesperson’s Unit)
Staff Sgt. Guy Shimchi, a resident of Gedera, grew up as a child of nature and was a born leader, brave, charismatic and with a big heart. He served as a fighter in the Paratroopers Reconnaissance Unit and was described as a soldier with an ethical command outlook and a willingness to sacrifice. On October 7 he was at a nature party and acted with great bravery when he saved his friends’ lives after getting them into the safe room at Kibbutz Reim. Although he was unarmed, Guy defended the house together with his friend, a kibbutz member and Maglan fighter who held a weapon, and refused to go into the safe room. He killed two terrorists before he was killed by a grenade they threw. He was 20 when he fell and left behind two parents and two brothers.
38 gallery views Staff Sgt. Guy Shimchi, of blessed memory (Credit: IDF Spokesperson’s Unit)
Staff Sgt. Idan Raz from Kibbutz Ein HaMifratz was energetic, smiling, a natural leader and a lover of people. He loved sports and cooking and supported Hapoel Tel Aviv. Raz had been exempt from service because of his health condition, but he fought to become a Golani fighter and eventually succeeded in fulfilling his dream. Idan was a devoted and brave fighter who cared for his friends. On October 7 he went on his own initiative from the Paga outpost near the Gaza border into close-quarters combat against Hamas terrorists and saved his friends, and fought until he fell in battle. He was 20 when he fell and left behind his parents and three siblings.
38 gallery views Staff Sgt. Idan Raz, of blessed memory
Sgt. Eran Aloni from Ofakim was a sociable teenager, a natural leader and a lover of people. He volunteered extensively and loved dogs, writing and hikes on the Israel Trail. Eran served as a fighter and medic in Battalion 51 of Golani. In December 2023, during fighting in Shajaiyah in northern Gaza, he ran under fire to protect his commander and was killed by terrorist fire. He was 19 when he fell and left behind his parents and three siblings.
38 gallery views Sgt. Eran Aloni, of blessed memory (Photo: IDF Spokesperson’s Unit)
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Yehonatan, Tal, Vadim and Shalom: the heroes born on June 5
Sgt. Yehonatan Maimon was a brilliant, smart and witty young man who loved knowledge, robotics and science, and excelled in studies and leadership. He grew up in an ultra-Orthodox home and fought to serve in the reconnaissance unit. He was a fighter and company commander’s communications officer in the Nahal Reconnaissance Unit, responsible and leading, who always acted with a smile and dedication. He fell in combat in the northern Gaza Strip in November 2023. Yehonatan was 20 when he fell, from Ofakim, and left behind his parents and nine siblings.
38 gallery views Sgt. Yehonatan Maimon, of blessed memory
Maj. Tal Pashbilsky enlisted in the IDF and served in the Givati Brigade, where he stood out as a fighter and commander of values, professionalism and dedication, with quiet responsibility, natural leadership and personal example. His friends and commanders saw him as an anchor of stability, determination and humanity, even in difficult moments. He fell in combat in the southern Gaza Strip in June 2024. Tal was 24 when he fell, from Gedera, and left behind his parents and two brothers.
38 gallery views Maj. Tal Pashbilsky, of blessed memory
Chief Inspector Vadim Blich was born in Ukraine and immigrated to Israel in 1991 when he was 6. A fighter and outstanding commander in the police, initiative-driven, sharp-minded and with quiet leadership, he saw the defense of the state as a life mission. On October 7 he was rushed into combat and led the Metapah force in defending Kibbutz Be’eri, where he fell in battle after long hours of fighting against hundreds of terrorists. Vadim was 39 when he fell, from Haifa, and left behind his wife, three children and his mother.
38 gallery views Chief Inspector Vadim Blich, of blessed memory (Israel Police)
Sgt. Shalom Menachem was gentle, modest and with a heart of gold, a man of kindness and joy, who loved Torah, music and trips, and was always first to help others. He served as a fighter in the Combat Engineering Corps, Battalion 601, מתוך a deep sense of mission. He fell in the Namer APC disaster in Rafah in June 2024. Shalom was 21 when he fell, from Beit El, and left behind his parents, a twin brother and six other siblings.
38 gallery views Sgt. Shalom Menachem, of blessed memory (Photo: IDF Spokesperson’s Unit)
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Amir, Dvir, Or, Avshalom, Itan, Maor, Akiva, Alon and Shneor: the heroes born on June 4
Maj. (res.) Amir Mansour Naeem grew up as a value-driven kibbutz member, smart and witty, a man of action with a big heart, a natural leader, and loving of people, the land and helping others. He was the partner of Shahar and a devoted father to Raphael. He served as a combat engineer and officer, and also fought in his kibbutz’s emergency squad. He fell in battle for Kibbutz Erez on October 7. Amir was 27 when he fell, from Kibbutz Erez, and left behind his wife, son, parents and two brothers.
38 gallery views Maj. (res.) Amir Naim, of blessed memory
Sgt. Dvir Lisha was a curious, sharp-minded young man, full of humor and talented in writing, drawing and music, a man of kindness who quietly acted for others and aspired to meaningful service. He fell in battle against dozens of terrorists at Zikim Beach on October 7. Dvir was 21 when he fell, from Nitzan, and left behind his parents and seven siblings.
38 gallery views Sgt. Dvir Lisha, of blessed memory (Photo: IDF Spokesperson’s Unit)
Staff Sgt. Or Mizrahi was a smart, sociable and modest young man, full of joy and generosity, who loved running and music, especially Eviatar Banai, and excelled in physics, mathematics and Arabic. He served as a balloon observer in Battalion 414. He fell in battle at the Erez outpost on October 7. Or was 20 when he fell, from Ramat Gan, and left behind his parents and two brothers.
38 gallery views Staff Sgt. Or Mizrahi, of blessed memory
RSM Avshalom (Avshi) Yair Peretz was a smart, modest and multi-talented young man. He played music, painted, was active in sports and volunteered extensively. An outstanding fighter in Maglan and later a spearhead fighter in YAMAM, he was a quiet man of action with a big heart. On October 7 he was rushed to his unit in central Israel, left his parents’ home in Netivot with his partner Shiraz, who was supposed to drive him to base and then return to her parents nearby. At the Sha’ar HaNegev junction they encountered terrorists who opened fire on them, and both were killed at the scene. Avshalom was 27 when he fell, from Netivot, and left behind his parents and two sisters.
38 gallery views RSM Avshalom Yair Peretz, of blessed memory (Photo: Police Spokesperson’s Unit)
RSM (res.) Itan Nae was a value-driven, quiet and natural leader, hardworking, precise and with a subtle sense of humor. A farmer at heart, a beloved scout guide and an athlete. A revered fighter and commander in Duvdevan. He fell in combat in Khan Younis in December 2023. Itan was 26 when he fell, from Kibbutz Sde Eliyahu, and left behind his parents and two brothers.
38 gallery views RSM (res.) Itan Nae, of blessed memory (Courtesy of the family)
RSM (res.) Maor Lavia was a fighter in the Bisla”ch Brigade. A modest, sensitive and warm-faced man, a devoted father and a volunteer at heart, a carpenter by profession, active in United Hatzalah, the fire service, the police and the community. He fell in combat in the central Gaza Strip in December 2023. Maor was 33 when he fell, from Susya, and left behind his wife, four daughters, parents and four siblings.
38 gallery views RSM (res.) Maor Lavia, of blessed memory (Photo: IDF Spokesperson’s Unit)
RSM (res.) Akiva Yasinsky was born in the Soviet Union and immigrated to Israel with his family in 2006. He married Olga, converted out of deep love for Judaism and was a true Zionist. He was sensitive to children with special needs and volunteered in a variety of activities for their benefit. As soon as the war broke out, he hurried to reserve duty and served in the Combat Engineering Corps. He fell in January 2024 in the disaster at the Al-Bureij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, when explosives intended for a strategic tunnel ignited and exploded. Akiva was 35 when he fell, from Ramat Gan, and left behind his wife, parents and sister.
38 gallery views RSM (res.) Akiva Yasinsky
Staff Sgt. Alon Kleinman was smart, modest and a people person, an outstanding athlete and a lover of science, nature and hikes, with quiet leadership and natural charisma. He served as a fighter and squad commander in Maglan, and led rescues and combat with courage. He fell in battle in Khan Younis in February 2024. Alon was 21 when he fell, from Rehovot, and left behind his parents and two brothers.
38 gallery views Staff Sgt. Alon Kleinman, of blessed memory (Photo: IDF Spokesperson’s Unit)
Sgt. Shneor Zalman Cohen was a young man of mission, good cheer, humility, initiative and joy of life, who always acted through deeds and not words. He volunteered, helped and fought as a Givati fighter. He fell during an operational activity in Jabaliya in November 2024. Shneor was 20 when he fell, from Yitzhar, and left behind his parents and nine siblings.
38 gallery views Sgt. Shneor Zalman Cohen, of blessed memory (Photo: IDF Spokesperson’s Unit)
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Binyamin, Shoham, Alina, Nir and Idan: the heroes born on June 3
Staff Sgt. Binyamin (Beni) Blai was a modest, value-driven and cheerful young man, an outstanding student in the architecture track, who loved hiking, working out and spending time with friends. He was the partner of Keren Bitau and dreamed of taking care of his family. He was a logistics corps fighter and served as an operational driver at the MOP outpost. He fell in combat against terrorists in Kissufim on October 7. Blai was 20 when he fell, from Rehovot, and left behind his parents and four siblings.
38 gallery views Staff Sgt. Binyamin Blai, of blessed memory (Courtesy of the family)
Sgt. Shoham Shlomo Nidam was a shy, modest and humble young man, with a big heart and a captivating smile, who loved people, family and friends. He played guitar, loved Spanish music, bowling and hikes, and dreamed of joining the police. On the morning of Saturday, October 7, he was supposed to be at home, but he switched with one of his friends. He fought against hundreds of terrorists who infiltrated the Nahal Oz outpost until he fell. Nidam was 19 when he fell, from Kiryat Shmona, and left behind his parents and a sister.
38 gallery views Sgt. Shoham Shlomo Nidam, of blessed memory
Capt. Alina Pravosudova was an outstanding, value-driven and generous young woman, with a captivating smile and a drive for excellence. She volunteered with Magen David Adom, loved sports, trips and reading, and dreamed of saving lives. She served as a fighter and officer in the Home Front Command out of a sense of mission and responsibility. On October 7 she was at the Urim base and hid in the command center together with many male and female fighters. While her friends were hiding, she showed resourcefulness, pointed her weapon toward the door, but the terrorists threw grenades and broke in. When the terrorists began entering the command center she fired and shooting broke out. She returned fire and did more than could be asked until she fell in battle. Pravosudova was 23 when she fell, from Haifa, and left behind her parents and a brother.
38 gallery views Capt. Alina Pravosudova, of blessed memory
Staff Sgt. Nir Gofer was a value-driven, modest young man and a quiet leader, who excelled in studies and computers, loved basketball, hikes and deep friendships. He served as a fighter and sniper in Battalion 51 of Golani, driven by mission and camaraderie. He fell in battle in southern Lebanon, in the village of Tair Harfa, in November 2024. Gofer was 20 when he fell, from Dimona, and left behind his parents and five siblings.
38 gallery views Staff Sgt. Nir Gofer, of blessed memory (Photo: IDF Spokesperson’s Unit)
Staff Sgt. Idan Shemich was a smart and sensitive person, an entrepreneur, a scout counselor, a musician and guitarist, a diver and a lover of nature and animals. He served as a fighter, medic and commander in the Nahal Reconnaissance Unit. He fell in battle in Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip in January 2025. Shemich was 20 when he fell and left behind his parents, a twin brother and two other brothers.
38 gallery views Staff Sgt. Idan Shemich, of blessed memory
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Naveh, Yotam, Roee and Nachman: the heroes born on June 2
Lt. Naveh Elazar Lecks, a fighter in Sayeret Matkal, was a promising young officer, sharp-minded, responsible and with a deep sense of mission. A quiet, value-driven and devoted man, who loved learning and delving deeply, and connected people with humility and care. He fell in battle on October 7 after fighting for long hours against hundreds of terrorists and defending Kibbutz Be’eri. Lecks was 21 when he fell, from Lod, and left behind his parents and five siblings.
38 gallery views Lt. Naveh Elazar Lecks, of blessed memory (Courtesy of the family)
Sgt. Yotam Hillel was a cheerful, charismatic teenager, a natural leader full of confidence. He loved music, was a gifted DJ, an athlete and a fighter at heart, with a big heart and concern for others. A determined and brave fighter in the Nahal Reconnaissance Unit’s Orev company, he fell in battle at Kfar Aza two days after the war began. Hillel was 19 when he fell, from Moshav Bareket, and left behind his parents and four siblings.
38 gallery views Sgt. Yotam Hillel, of blessed memory
Staff Sgt. Roee Chaim Weiser was an intelligent, opinionated teenager full of joy of life, with a sense of humor, a big heart and a deep sense of justice. He loved sports, soccer and football, and was a true friend and natural leader, as well as a devoted fighter and commander in Golani. He fell in battle at the Erez outpost on October 7 after fighting for hours against hundreds of terrorists, leading the force and saving the lives of 12 fighters. Weiser was 21 when he fell, from Efrat, and left behind his parents and two brothers.
38 gallery views Staff Sgt. Roee Weiser, of blessed memory (Photo: IDF Spokesperson’s Unit)
Staff Sgt. Nachman Raphael Ben Ami was a young man of faith, stubbornness and a warm heart, who dealt with asthma but did not give up on his dream of combat service in Golani and fought to enlist. He loved the sea, swimming, people and joy, and was a source of strength and light to his friends. He fell in the Gaza Strip in February 2025 when an operational crane collapsed. Ben Ami was 20 when he fell, from Eilat, and left behind his parents and four siblings.
38 gallery views Staff Sgt. Nachman Raphael Ben Ami, of blessed memory (Photo: IDF Spokesperson’s Unit)
Amin: the hero born on June 1
Chief Insp. Amin Akhundov was born in Sumgait, Azerbaijan, immigrated to Israel in 2002 through the Naale program and enlisted in the army as a lone soldier. He fought in air defense and served as a career officer for several years before joining the police. Amin was charismatic and seen as a value-driven and devoted man, a beloved commander with a sense of humor who loved music, extreme sports and the outdoors. Amin believed that first and foremost, one must be a human being. He was the partner of Libi and a devoted father to Daniel and Rumi. He fell in combat in the fields of Kibbutz Reim during the defense of the Nova festival on October 7. Akhundov was 36 when he fell, from Ofakim, and left behind his wife, two children, parents and a sister.
38 gallery views Amin, of blessed memory (Photo: meshelslife, Itai Meshel)
Think about a birthday for the fallen
One of the hardest and most heartbreaking things is receiving messages from bereaved parents who ask, and sometimes almost beg, to mention their sons who fell in the war. It breaks the heart. They so want us to remember. To know the courage of their children. Who they were. Every day I receive messages from family members and friends. They want people to follow the memorial pages they opened, to learn about those who gave their lives when Israel was in existential danger.
Hanoch Daum
The war ended, in a way, there is some pause, but they feel they were left behind. So many families have become a layer of dust. And the one thing that gives them strength is commemorating the child who is no longer, so that something of him remains. Some families feel they did not receive their due. They feel that the enormity of the disaster and the pace of events meant that their child, apart from twenty seconds in a news flash, was not mentioned. Not really.
The most messages I receive are on birthdays. I think I understand that. Think about a birthday for the fallen. What happens in his home. What his mother feels. What his loved ones feel. At memorial services they are still surrounded. They go to the grave. There is somewhere for the emotions. On birthdays, in many cases, they are alone with infinite sorrow. The day of their joy turned into the day of their calamity.
And there is also the side of the fallen themselves: they deserve it. The fallen themselves deserve for us to know who they were. They sacrificed for us, and we must by no means simply move on. It is our moral and values-based duty to know those who fell defending us. To learn from them. To commit to their path. They passed away so young, but they deserve to leave a mark. We have a moral debt. A deep debt. One we can never truly repay. But we can remember. And mention them.
In the past there was such a segment on Guy Pines’s show, where he would say which celebrity has a birthday each day. In the coming year, God willing, we will update every day on which fallen soldiers from “Swords of Iron” were supposed to have a birthday. Which heroes who were supposed to celebrate are no longer with us. We will do this in order to dedicate a moment to them. Thank you to Efrat, Rivka Deutsch, Nitzan Tamari, Yuval Zisu, Hila Messer-Shpigel, Daniel Berkan and Vered Sofer, who collected the information and organized it. They do this with great reverence. Thank you to ynet for the cooperation, they joined us on this important journey, and thank you to everyone who will dedicate one moment each day to read about the fallen person whose birthday falls on that day, look at his photo and express gratitude. And we will try to be worthy.
Writing and research team: Rivka Deutsch, Nitzan Tamari, Yuval Zisu, Hila Messer-Shpigel, Daniel Berkan, Vered Sofer
Published first: 11:00, 31.05.26
