It is said that God takes only the best of the best and Shilo’s goodness was well known by all those around him. In his youth, Shilo, who was born in Zofim in the Shomron would spend his summer vacations volunteering for organizations that worked with special needs children and was one of the main reasons for the joyful atmosphere that is so important to create at these types of places.
Following high school, he decided to go to Yeshiva before his military service and he prepared himself both in the religious and physical spectrums for the army and his life ahead. After three years at Yeshiva, he was drafted into Golani and was very motivated to serve in the brigade where he became a mainstay in his platoon. Knowing that sometimes life is short, he made sure that there was always a joyful atmosphere around him which became contagious to others. Following his service, his commander wanted him to continue on, but Shilo wanted to remain as part of his platoon since that is where the real missions lie.
Shilo loved sports and as a child it played a significant part of his life as he was an active participant in the tournaments held in the Shomron where he was an excellent player. Maccabi Tel Aviv football and basketball clubs were a central part in his life and the success of the team was extremely important to him. Shilo noted that the 4:0 Derby win in 2012/13 championship season was one of Maccabi’s greatest matches. Despite the strong rain that fell, the atmosphere the fans created was second to none as they pushed the Yellow & Blue to victory which was memorable as the club won the title at the end of the campaign.
However, this February Shilo’s life was cut short as he along with two of his friends were killed in a horrific truck and Hummer collision on Route 6 as he went with his squad to provide security to the settlements in the Shomron.
As fate would have it, the day of the accident, Shilo received a bonus from his commander that he would be able to travel by himself from his home to the base. But Shilo knew that it was important or one of his friends to have the ability to do that and he let him go by himself while Shilo would go in the Hummer with the rest of the squad; ultimately this was his last trip.
Even after his death, Shilo continued to give as he donated his organs to 6 different people who were given a new lease on life.
The writer is Shilo’s cousin Neriya Abudraham.
