A motel for lone soldiers in memory of Sergeant Matan Malka, a soldier in the Paratroopers Brigade, who fell on October 7, was inaugurated today (Tuesday) in Jerusalem in the presence of family members, Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Leon, MK Moshe Tor-Paz, friends of Matan and his commanders. Matan Malka House is a vacation home for lone soldiers, where they can rest and relax on weekends.
Housewarming ceremony and setting a mezuzah for a motel for lone soldiers in memory of Matan Malka z"l, who fell in an iron sword war // Photo: Yoni Rikner
Matan Malka, 19, lived in Gesher HaZiv, was a soldier in the Paratroopers Brigade, an outstanding athlete, but decided to serve in an elite combat unit. As soon as the massacre in the Gaza envelope began on Simchat Torah, Matan and his friends were dispatched to the Kissufim area.
Matan managed to eliminate terrorists and save the lives of many civilians, and in Kibbutz Kissufim he waged a heroic battle in which he saved the kibbutz members with his heroism and at the cost of his life. His parents, together with the "Rak Latet" association, established "Matan Malka House", a motel for lone soldiers managed by the association, in order to continue Matan's light and giving in the world.
Sticking a mezuzah in a lone soldiers' motel named after Matan Malka, who fell in an iron sword war, in the presence of Mayor Moshe Leon, photo: Oren Ben Hakon
The "Rak Latet" association noted that "the motel was established for lone soldiers who left their families and came to Eretz Israel to volunteer in the army for all of us. Longing overwhelms them and on weekends when everyone returns to their families, they are left alone. Our job is to give them a place to have a little home, a little family, and a little pampering for body and soul."
Livat Malka, Matan's mother, said that at Matan's bar mitzvah, the family made special kippah that read: "Love your neighbor as yourself," and emphasized that: "Matan saw the other and the different all his life. In basic training, he adopted two friends from abroad, from France and the United States, and at seven they said that Matan constantly checked that they understood the language and if necessary he would explain to them again so that they would understand and integrate correctly. Matan saw everything modestly. Love your neighbor, even if not like yourself – that's exactly him."
The opening ceremony was attended by family members, the Mayor of Jerusalem, MK Moshe Tor-Paz, friends of Matan and his commanders, Photo: Oren Ben Hakon
The mother also said that Matan wanted the two friends who came from abroad to enlist to feel like they belonged, and they adopted them: "In his values, to give the other the most basic part, to thank them for coming to defend the country they do not live in, as he wrote in his diary that came to me after his fall, in which he wrote: 'Some will call it suckers, but I call it Zionism, giving and true love.'" She said she wanted to continue his path of giving to lone soldiers, adding: "Establishing a motel for lone soldiers is the will of Matan, who always saw and understood those who are alone and need a shoulder."
In the motel established in Jerusalem, lone soldiers will be able to come and enjoy a homely and special atmosphere, designed according to Matan's vision, as Livat summarizes: "We put what Matan liked, whether it was in the food and wine menu, it is reflected in the design of the house. Matan loved life and so we want to continue Matan's life by helping lone soldiers."
Donations to Matan Malka House - on the "Beit Matan" website or by phone - 1-700-720-778
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