Sergeant Shay Germay

Daughter of Vered and Shlomo
Sister of Dan, Itay and Nirel

Shay’s Family immigrated to Israel from Ethiopia in 1982, and settled in Carmiel. Shay is her parents’ only daughter, and has three brothers. She is the daughter of Vered Germay, an employee of the Immigration and Integration Unit with the Jewish Agency. Her father (Shlomo) was a factory worker in Carmiel.

Shay went to Cramim High School in Carmiel. On February 18, 2024, her parents received her high school diploma from Ari, Shay’s homeroom teacher. Ari published a Facebook post that described his feelings about this event: “My last memory of Shay Germay, a graduate of my last homeroom class – after so many struggles and difficulties along the way – was that she managed to get her high school diploma. She achieved success in her own special way. Despite of everything and perhaps because of everything. As I stood at the entrance to the school with Shay’s parents (Shlomo and Vered) to take this photo, I felt a kind of sad closure.

Aviad Tzadok had been Shay’s boyfriend in the three years that preceded her death.

Kais Efraim Lawi, The leader of the Ethiopian community in Carmel, gave an interview to Zohar Portal on January 7, 2004 after Shay’s death: “The city of Carmiel is mourning the death of our beloved Shay.” Her family is a long-time member of our community, and is an ardently Zionist, pleasant and kind family. I’ve known Shy since her childhood, since I used to teach Ethiopian traditions and Amharic to a group of children to strengthen the young generation’s bond to their roots. Shay was an excellent student, and was always curious to learn more about Ethiopian Jewry. She was a very smart child and a noble soul that loved and cherished her homeland. There is no doubt in my mind that her parents did an outstanding job at teaching her to love and protect her homeland.

In another interview that Kais Lawi gave to Galatz (Israeli radio station), he explained that Shay’s important service with the Border Police was part of a notable trend among Ethiopian Israelis, who sought to engage in meaningful and important service with the IDF and Israel’s security forces in general. This is a manifestation of the Zionist values instilled in our community from its first generations, which had yearned to return to the Land of Israel and Jerusalem.

Shay joined the Israel Police on August 4, 2022 and served with the Border Police. During an interview with Keren Neubach (Channel 11), her father said that she decided to join the Border Police following in her big brother’s footsteps. She loved her service and decided that, after her discharge, she will become a member of the Israel Police, where she would forge a career.

The Border Police noted that she had already distinguished herself during her initial training days by her professionalism and unique personality. At the end of her training, she was assigned to the Judea and Samaria Border Police (operational company).

In September 2023, Shay was given the “Outstanding Soldier” certificate from the IDF Menashe Division, which was to commemorate her heroic contribution and the great resourcefulness she habitually exhibited. Her name was published on the IDF Spokesperson Website (on the list of Outstanding Soldiers with the Menashe Central Division).

On the night of January 7, 2024, Shay went on a mission in the Jenin refugee camp. She traveled in a convoy of three Border Police vehicles that had entered the camp. Her vehicle stumbled upon an IED, which led to her death.

On January 7, 2024, the Border Police issued the following notice:
“Courage under fire – we regretfully announce the death of Staff Sergeant Shay Germay in the line of duty, a Border Police Officer (Judea And Samaria) who was driving a Vehicle that was hit by an IED during a military operation in the Jenin Refugee Camp.” The late Shay Germay was a resident of Carmiel. She left behind parents and her three brothers. She was 19 on the day of her death.

Border Police colleagues noted that Shay was always first to report in, and she always wanted her and everyone around her to do the best they could as they sought to carry out their tasks. She was a warrior-poet, who distinguished herself with her ethical compass, inner joy, and love for other people. She always had a smile on her face.

"Shay loved to listen to “My Diamond” by Avi Aburomi. At her request, Tzadok – her boyfriend – used to read that song to her until she knew it by heart. In an interview Tzadok said that the song had a genuinely healing effect on her, as if it were a painkiller.
Avi Aburomi sang this song in Shay’s memory as part of the “Shedding Tears for You” Project, which was orchestrated by Yediot Aharonot Group in collaboration with Mifal HaPayis. You can view this performance here.

An Instagram page in Shay’s memory is now available.

interview for Channel 12 (January 8, 2024), Shay’s commanding officer (Maya Nikitz) noted that she had served with Shay for 10 months. Shay was a true friend who always cared for others, which is why she was awarded a certificate of outstanding performance by the Menashe Division Commander. Maya answered questions about women who serve the Border Police and their involvement in dangerous combat zones. She explained that women serving with the Border Police are not a rare exception. It’s a mixed unit where everyone works together, regardless of race or gender. The officers are always there for each other, and it is thanks to these values that they manage to successfully carry out their tasks.

Jacob (Kobi) Shabtai, Israel Police’s Commissioner, said the following at Shay’s funeral: “It’s hard to give a eulogy for a 19-year-old soldier. Shay joined the Army because she wanted to make a real difference. The commitment and courage of our police officers is tested on a daily basis. Sadly, that can sometimes mean they have to sacrifice their lives in the line of duty. The events of October 7 have shown us the courage of Israel’s police officers.

We lost 60 police officers at the beginning of the war, including 19 Border Police officers. He friends noted how friendly she always was. Shay was given an award for outstanding performance. Dear Shay, you performed your duties with the utmost dedication. We stand here before your grave and say: these acts of terrorism will never weaken or deter us. We will find each and every person who tries to harm our police officers and soldiers. Words cannot describe the pain we feel. Today, you become an inseparable part of the Israel Police family. The entire Israel Police is morning your loss and salutes you."

Rabbi Benny Lau wrote the following in Shay’s memory (Memories Plus, January 12, 2024): “It’s become a routine occurrence every Shabbos. We see the faces of those who sacrificed their lives over the past week, who paid the ultimate price so that we could live a good and happy life here in the land of Israel. A new face every week. It is an incredible burden. As if the angels up above demand a weekly sacrifice, a gift from a whole nation that cherishes life. Of the many faces I saw this week, I chose to focus on Shay Germay, a Border Police officer who died in action on Sunday. Shay’s parents (Vered and Shlomi) immigrated from Ethiopia in 1982, and struck their roots in Carmiel. I met them inside the tent this week. I asked Vered to tell me something about Shay. She thought for a moment and then told me why she chose that name. Almost 20 years ago (February 2004), when she was nine months pregnant, she walked into a store in Carmiel. At the entrance, she saw a woman with a beautiful girl who drew her attention. That girl’s name was Shay. That’s why she and Shlomi decided on Shay’s name. With each passing day, and for almost 20 years since, Shay repeatedly justified the name she was given. She was an exceptionally kind soul. She was optimistic, modest, generous, and pure-hearted. She knew she wanted to give everything she had to her people. She joined the Border Police (Judea and Samaria Sector) and became a symbol of dedication and generosity that served as the entire company’s moral compass. As I look in Vered’s kind eyes, I am immediately reminded of a poem by Rachel Bluwstein, “Shay.” I read the poem out to Shay’s mother and the people sitting around with her. In this poem, Rachel describes herself as follows (Hebrew): Vered listened to Rachel’s memories and heard her name in the soft morning hours, whispered between the garden trees. I see this person and everyone around her, this woman who came here from Ethiopia on foot, who struck roots and shot forth branches and fruit, and who now offers a gift to the angels of heaven, a gift to the People and Land of Israel. And so, carrying this beautiful fruit, the Germay family turns to God and asks him: “Should I give you a gift to appease you?”

Rabbi Lior Chaim Engelmen of Kefar Sava said the following about Shay after she and Roy Yochai Yosef died in battle: “Shay was a member of the Ethiopian community, a glorious and wonderful congregation marked by generations of longing to return to the Land of Israel and the holy city of Jerusalem.” This is an opportunity to embrace this congregation and express our gratitude for their contribution to our land, and to show our deepest sympathies for the Germay family. I know that this longing and love can also entail heavy prices, but I would like to take this opportunity to say something that we normally don’t talk about. Every soldier who fights for the people of Israel and who dies for the people of Israel is a saint and righteous soul, and we must forever express our deepest gratitude for the sacrifies made by those heroes and soldiers. I would like to once again extend my deepest sympathies to the Germay family....