Militaryאורן שמחה

Oren Simcha

Oren Simcha is an Israeli army officer with the rank of brigadier general who commands the 96th Division (Gilead Formation).

born 1979Commanding the 96th DivisionCommanding the Nahal BrigadeService in Shayetet 13

Occupation: military officer
Rank: aluf mishne
Wars: 2006 Lebanon War

Oren Simcha was born in 1979 in Netzer Sereni

Oren Simcha was born in 1979 and grew up on Kibbutz Netzer Sereni, the son of Uri and Idit. His grandmother Hilda survived the Holocaust, played in Alma Rosé's orchestra at Bergen-Belsen and helped found the kibbutz. He has 3 brothers, the oldest being Lior Simcha, secretary general of the Kibbutz Movement.

He studied at the local school. He later graduated from Reichman University (IDC Herzliya) in politics and government and earned a master's degree in security studies from the University of Haifa.

He joined the army in 1998, served in Shayetet 13 and fought in the Second Intifada and the Second Lebanon War. He later held command posts in the Nahal Brigade, the Etzioni Brigade and the Golan Formation. In 2024 he was chosen to command the 96th Division as a brigadier general.

He is married to Merav, a social worker, and they have 3 children. The family lives in Netzer Sereni.

Oren Simcha's life in 9 milestones

1979
Born on Kibbutz Netzer Sereni.
1998
Joined the army and volunteered for Shayetet 13.
2006
Became commander of the Nahal anti-tank company.
2016
Became commander of the Nahal reconnaissance battalion.
2018
Promoted to colonel and named commander of the Etzioni Brigade.
2020
Named commander of the Golan Formation.
2021
Named commander of the Nahal Brigade.
2024
Chosen to command the 96th Division as a brigadier general.
2026
Appointment as commander of the 162nd Division was approved.

Oren Simcha served in Shayetet 13 and Nahal Brigade

He served as a team and unit commander in Shayetet 13, fighting in the Second Intifada, the Second Lebanon War and Operation Protective Edge. He went on to command the Nahal Brigade and the 96th Division as a brigadier general.

Shayetet 13 Nahal Brigade