Israel Shekel, son of Haim Rephael Shkolnikov was born on March 11^th, 1917, and made aliya in 1962. In 1942 he joined the Lehi underground, helping to establish the branch in South America and assuming responsibility of the Brazil branch. He married Sheva Coperstein. Israel and his wife were among the leaders of the Brazilian community and activists of the Zionist and Hebrew movements. The couple had three children, Shmuel, Yair and Golda, who was killed serving in the military. In memory of their daughter, Israel and Sheva changed their last name from Shkolnikov to Shekel. Israel died on March 4^th, 1986 and was laid to rest at Har Hamenuhot cemetery in Jerusalem.