Shimon Koren

Mar 31, 2002 - Shimon Koren, 55, of Haifa was one of 15 people killed in a suicide bombing in Haifa, in the Matza restaurant of the gas station near the Grand Canyon shopping mall.

Just after 2:30 PM on Sunday afternoon, during the Passover holiday, the terrorist entered the popular Matza restaurant in the Neve Sha'anan district near the Grand Canyon mall. The explosion tore the roof off the one-story building, and blew out the windows, instantly killing 14 people, and leaving horrific scenes of people on fire, and people with lost limbs. Over 40 people were injured.

Shimon Koren was having lunch at the Matza restaurant with his two sons. His wife Rachel was supposed to join them, but at the last minute backed out of the date. A few minutes before the explosion, her husband called to ask if she wanted him to bring home some take-away. Shimon was killed along with his sons Ran and Gal.

Shimon Koren managed Zim's Mediterranean lines. Friends described him as the son of Holocaust survivors, full of humor and wisdom who loved two things in particular - being with his family, and the Manchester United football team. The family lived in England for several years when he was there on assignment for Zim, and, said friends, Shimon's love of football and the team, infected his two sons.

Shimon Koren was buried in Haifa alongside his sons Ran and Gal. He is survived by his wife Rachel.