'Defender of Israel Award' goes to three men who willingly put their lives on the line on Oct. 7

(JNS) — During the attacks and atrocities committed by Hamas terrorists in southern Israel on Oct. 7, Elchanan Kalmanson, his brother Menachem Kalmanson and their nephew, Itiel, drove toward the Gaza Strip under heavy rocket fire, ready to defend their country with their lives.

Arriving at Kibbutz Be’eri, they started evacuating houses, hoping to save whoever they could inside, unfortunately discovering that in many instances, there was no one left to save.

On Oct. 8, the second day of their rescue mission, they were ambushed by terrorists. Elcahanan was shot, dying in Menachem’s arms, leaving...