Master sergeant Keren Tendler

Daughter of Rivana and Dan
Sister of Nadav

Keren Tendler, daughter of Rivana and Dan, was born on September 26, 1979 in Rehovot. She was the older sister of Nadav.

She grew up in a supportive, active, and values-driven family, from which she absorbed the importance of giving and contributing.

Keren attended Yavne’eli elementary school, and later ORT College Rehovot junior high and high school. From a young age, she stood out for her technical abilities and was accepted into a CAD/CAM (Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing) track, where she was one of only three girls in a class of many boys.

Keren was an energetic, ambitious, and vibrant young woman, with a strong desire to fulfill her potential. She loved drawing, especially fashion illustration, engaged in artistic photography, and excelled as a swimmer, competing and winning medals. From childhood, she was surrounded by friends, and a dominant active presence in her social environment.

After completing her studies as a practical mechanical engineer in 1999, Keren enlisted in the Israeli Air Force. She completed a helicopter mechanics course and was assigned as a ground mechanic in a Yas'ur (CH-53) helicopter squadron at Tel Nof Airbase.

Driven to advance, she later pursued an especially challenging path: advanced infantry training (Rifleman 07), selection processes, and the airborne mechanics course - a field that was extremely rare for women at the time. In 2001, Keren was the only woman accepted into the course, which she completed with honors.

Keren became the first woman airborne mechanic in the Yas'ur squadron and one of the very few in the entire Israeli Air Force. She served in the “Night Transporters” squadron, participated in numerous operations in Israel and abroad, and excelled with professionalism, dedication, and initiative. She also took part in training and mentoring technicians.

After four years of career service, she was discharged in 2005 and began studying law, while continuing to serve in the reserves on a fully voluntary and frequent basis.

During the Second Lebanon War in 2006, Keren served in the reserves in the Yas'ur squadron and took part in operational activity - one of the few women at the time serving in an active aerial combat role.

On August 11, 2006, she went on an operational flight. The following day, August 12, 2006, during a mission to insert forces deep into southern Lebanon, the Yas'ur helicopter on which she served was struck by a missile fired by Hezbollah, shortly after taking off to return.

Keren was killed in the incident, at the age of 27, along with four other members of her crew.

After her death, she was promoted to the rank of Master Sergeant.

Keren Tendler was an exceptional figure who combined professionalism, determination, and humanity. She acted out of a deep sense of mission and a genuine desire to contribute, setting herself high standards which she consistently achieved.

From a young age, she stood out for her boundless energy, curiosity, and desire to “devour life.” She was active, socially engaged, and had diverse interests, from art and photography to competitive sports, combining personal sensitivity with high performance.

During her military service, she broke new ground in a field that was almost entirely male at the time, becoming one of the few women in an operational aerial role. She did not seek special treatment nor define herself by being an exception, but rather by the uncompromising professional standard she set for herself. Her commanders described her as a dedicated, responsible, loyal, and proactive fighter who took on every mission and served as an example to others.

Alongside her professional achievements, Keren was a warm, social, and caring person, highly respected by both her peers and commanders. She maintained deep connections with those around her, contributed her time beyond her service, and radiated a combination of confidence, humility, and joie de vivre.

Even after her death, her impact is clearly felt - not only through her achievements, but through the way she chose to act: with persistence, courage, and a belief in breaking boundaries without losing one’s humanity.

Her character remains a source of inspiration, and her life story reflects the power of combining personal ambition with deep commitment to others and to society.

Uri Levi from Ruhama described the funeral procession:
“Power and majesty, without measure, accompanied Keren’s final journey. Over a thousand paratroopers, combat soldiers, regular and reserve, carried her on their shoulders back home. Keren, an airborne mechanic, crashed to her death together with four members of her helicopter crew, while landing paratroopers deep in the field. An anti-tank missile hit the helicopter seconds after they had unloaded the paratroopers and took off for another sortie. The next night, a ‘Shaldag’ unit searched and found her four companions who were flown back to Israel. Keren was not found that night. The searches continued the next day under direct fire and mortar fire. Step by step, stone by stone, searches in expanding circles and at risk to life. Keren was found in a side ravine, some distance from the helicopter wreckage and near one of the engines. She was likely thrown out by the force of the explosion. On the night when the paratroopers returned, in a difficult and exhausting march, the night when an endless line of soldiers returned home, Keren returned with them. Wrapped up on a stretcher, she was carried by the soldiers with a sense of mission and sanctity. A thousand paratroopers accompanied Keren on her final journey. A thousand paratroopers brought Keren home, to her parents. It was a heroic funeral procession and no one hid the lump in their throat and the tears in their eyes… A thousand exhausted paratroopers stand and salute Keren.”

Colonel Itai, commander of the “Tip of the Spear” Paratroopers Brigade, wrote to Keren:
“In a long and exhausting foot march we carried you from the area between Ya’itar and Zabkin through the cliffs of Wadi Beit Leaf and back to Israel. On your final journey we accompanied you, hundreds of paratroopers returning from battle. A fighter among fighters, fitting your path, your life, and your fall. Keren, among us paratroopers it is customary to say that a battle soldier continues to live as long as he is remembered. And in our memory - you have eternal life. May the soil of this land you were privileged to defend be sweet to you.”

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Dan Halutz wrote to the family:
“Keren’s commanders say she was a fearless fighter who fought for the right to go on combat missions. Keren was diligent and persistent in her hard work, rejecting any concession offered to her. As the first woman airborne mechanic, she was a symbol and role model for all personnel in the squadron, especially the female soldiers. Keren was very social and well-liked among those around her. I am certain that the image of her will light the path of her commanders and friends.”

Lieutenant Colonel Dani, Unit Commander, wrote:
“Keren for me is the first airborne mechanic. She shows up for every mission. She fights for the right to go on combat missions and never asks for concessions. She always felt pride when seeing the number of girls in the technical section. Keren was a symbol, an example, and proof that vision and will are the key to success. She did it with humility and diligence. Keren fell in battle for Israel’s right to exist and live in peace. In my eyes, there is no nobler way. She was raised and educated on this value… Blessed be her memory.”

Brigadier General Amir, Air Force Chief of Staff, said in her memory:
“Keren’s image is alive before my eyes even today. A figure wearing a flight suit, wearing a flight helmet with a brown-blond ponytail peeking out with playfulness and defiance. Keren, you were singular and special in a typical male environment. An environment of fighters, huge and complex machines, air and ground forces, day and night, in harsh weather: in the heat and in the winter cold and snowy mountains, in desert and sea, in enemy land and at home. You knew your goal and acted with determination to achieve it. Keren, you broke new ground in a way that left the people around you astonished and appreciative. You broke into new fields and above all marked a path and standard for those the came after you. You showed that willpower is infinitely stronger than physical ability and barriers born among those of little faith. I remember a night in the Negev full of stars. We land in the middle of the desert, join the force, dust, the loud noise of engines and the two giant rotors of the Yas'ur tearing through the night. The ramp opens and the loading begins. I am by the pilot, looking into the belly of our "beast". I see, using the night vision goggles, in the green light, a small figure moving unwaveringly: intentional, careful, encouraging and strapping the iron vehicles to the iron bird. The ramp closes, 'Cleared for take off’ you say, and we are in the air en route to the next destination… The dreams were cut short. Your loss: who you were and what you could have become- will accompany us. You are gone and yet still here. You left a mark, set a new standard, taught us that a small body with a ponytail and a helmet is actually a kind of giant that we were fortunate to have with us. Blessed be your memory.”

Giora, Keren’s direct commander, who signed his letter as a friend, wrote:
“…You were a wonderful soldier, a dedicated and valued non-commissioned officer, an exemplary airborne mechanic. ...I cannot forget your characteristic smile, your strong desire to be an equal amongst equals, and your amazing ability to adapt to any situation. ...Thank you for being with us in your beautiful years, it is a pity you are not with us the rest of the way. We could have done wonderful things, all of us.”

Yael, Keren’s childhood friend:
“My beloved sweet Keren… I cannot believe you will not call me anymore and I cannot call you, hear your voice, encourage and cope, know that I have you in my world… I love you so much and miss you so much, in my heart, in life, in everything, so much… I saw all your amazing friends, who you loved so much and who loved you so much, and I heard how all the soldiers accompanied you on your final journey home. Sometimes I imagine that maybe you're hearing this and smiling… I wish.”

Gal, Keren’s close swimming friend wrote:
“Keren, you shared with me so many thoughts, joys, disappointments and hopes, all about life, the future, love and relationships, career and friends, like all of us really. In the end, you were also a sensitive and wonderful girl, so good and caring for everyone. I miss you very much.”

Keren Tendler on the Izkor website: https://www.izkor.gov.il/%D7%A7%D7%A8%D7%9F%20%D7%98%D7%A0%D7%93%D7%9C%D7%A8/en_8327c0886440445d72a3e498e8cd244d