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June 2014. I am stationed on the border between Israel and Gaza. In full battle gear, my sweat stained uniform feels heavy in the humid Israeli summer. Ohayon the division commander informs our unit that we are about to enter Gaza and participate in Operation “Fortified Ridge” in order to re-establish security in Israel. I walk to a nearby deserted shelter and burst into tears. I cry because I am frightened. I do not want to die. What kind of man am I? However I am given no respite from this fear, and it follows me and fills my inner being. The battles ended, but my fear persisted. When I would be with my wife, Moriya, I inexplicably found myself restless and ill at ease. I realized that I was filled with anxieties that prevented me from breathing and were sucking the vitality out of my life. My first son was born three years ago. We named him Maayan Simcha. When I hold him, I wonder if my fears will be transferred to him. I pray not to pass this inheritance forward. I pray that one day, he and I will travel freely, with no fear and no need for the gun.
Country: Israel
T-Port Partner: Maaleh Film School
Shaya graduated the Maaleh Film School in October 2022. He also has a degree in communication and literature. He lives on Kibbutz Ein Tzurim together with his wife, Moriya, and his children, Maayan Simcha (3) and Itai Michael (2 months) . Today he is director of his own media production company.
Shaya is married to Moriah and is father to Maayan. He carries a handgun everywhere....
