Former Beitar Jerusalem Footballer Shimon Chernukha Dies at 78

Shimon Chernukha, a prominent footballer for Beitar Jerusalem in the 1960s and the club's first player to represent the Israeli national team, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 78. Born in Jerusalem on May 10, 1948, to a Jewish family of Ukrainian descent, his parents were Holocaust survivors who met in a displaced persons camp in Germany after World War II. The family immigrated to Israel when he was nine months old.

Chernukha began his football career in Beitar Jerusalem's youth department and was promoted to the senior team at age 15 by coach Samuel Raznik. He played a key defensive role alongside notable teammates such as Raoul Geller and Udi Rubovitz. He helped Beitar rise from the second division to the first league by the end of the 1966/68 season. Known for his tough defensive style, Chernukha also gained wider recognition after being mentioned in the famous "Offside Story" sketch by the comedy group HaGashash HaHiver.

On January 10, 1968, Chernukha debuted for the Israeli national team in a match against Belgium, becoming the first Beitar Jerusalem player to do so. He spent most of his career with Beitar Jerusalem, except for a stint at Maccabi Netanya, where he won the Israeli championship in the 1970/71 season, his only career title. After disagreements with Beitar's chairman Yehoshua Matzaf, he left the club and played for Shimshon Tel Aviv.

Following his retirement, Chernukha distanced himself from football for several years but later returned as a youth coach at Beitar Jerusalem. He was known for strict discipline and led the youth team to a season with 25 wins and one draw, coaching future players Aviram Baruchyan and Amit Ben Shoshan. He also coached Hapoel Mevaseret Zion. Chernukha is survived by four sons and sixteen grandchildren.