Shimi,
This is the first time that I am writing in such a formal manner. Usually, I just talk to you, quite a lot, actually. Mainly, that I need you to help me to cheer up your mother; that together we will all be able to find a special way to enshrine your memory; your love for life and how you were the best friend ever; your love of cooking, and our shared love of Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Last season, in Netanya, during the game that sealed the championship, I found a few rare moments of solace during the first half and I looked upwards to try to sense you watching from God’s grandstand as the goal that secured the title was scored. I screamed my heart out and I looked up. I am certain that you were celebrating along with us in the stadium. 
A week later, Yarden and I prepared championship t-shirts with your picture and we wore them at your parents’ house, at the stadium, for the celebrations and at the special commemorative game that we held in your honour.
We grew up in Ofakim, in a warm and loving neighbourhood. We spent time in the air raid shelter and played football on the large grass playing area, and we enjoyed the delicacies cooked by my mother and by your mother. When I was about five, you and Dudu and half the kids from the neighbourhood all announced that you would be supporting Maccabi Tel Aviv. It was obvious that the rest of us would follow.
I don’t have any memories from the pitch, unfortunately, but there are many others which you were a part of. The neighbourhood, the football and Maccabi bind us even now when you are watching from the most auspicious of all seats. 
If you were to enter the new Bloomfield Stadium I am certain that you would be awed and thrilled. You would have screamed with delight after the 4-3 win over Maccabi Haifa at Sammy Ofer Stadium. Every Saturday, when I get ready for the game and Iris comes for a coffee with us, I am just a bit sad because I am certain that she imagines that if you were here you would also you would join us. You certainly are watching from above and you are so proud of her and how she fights back the pain of your loss and how she strives to commemorate you. She does all she can so that everybody will know who and what you were.
You so loved life.
Shimi Ruimi (1986-2016)
Shimon (Shimi) Ruimi was born in Ofakim and became a devoted Maccabi Tel Aviv fan at a young age. In the latter years of his life, Shimi lived in Beersheba but that did not deter him from making the long journey from the south to follow Maccabi and be with his friends in the stands.
On January 1, 2016, Shimi was at a birthday celebration for one of his friends at the Simta Bar on Dizengoff Street in Tel Aviv when a lone gunman sprayed it with bullets and killed Shimi and bar manager Alon Bakal. After fleeing, the gunman also shot and killed Amin Shaaban, a taxi driver.
Shimi is survived by his parents and three brothers. We mourn his loss. May his memory be blessed.
