Guy Illouz, 23, was carving a career in the music business. Hamas terrorists shot Illouz at the Nova festival and kidnapped him to Gaza. Illouz died there of his wounds, and Hamas continues to hold his body hostage.
Remembering Yonatan Richter: The High-Tech Professional Who Translated Spiritual Literature
Yonatan (Shafik) Richter was an exceptional person. He lived a life full of practical achievements as well as great spiritual awareness, the kind of life that can serve as an inspiration to us all. He was a family man with a thriving career who also sought greater meaning and hoped to share his insights with others. On October 7 2023, he volunteered as a mental health supporter at the Nova festival, where his life was cut short.
Hannah Kritzman: The Storyteller of Kibbutz Be’eri
At age 15, Hannah Kritzman ran away from home to Kibbutz Be’eri, where she became a beloved preschool teacher and founded the local children’s library. 73 years later, on October 7, after spending hours hiding with her caregiver in her safe room, Hannah was shot by a Hamas terrorist, just as the two were being rescued. The memoir she completed shortly before her death offers us a glimpse of what a wonderful woman she was.
Larger Than Life: Remembering Eden Ben Rubi
Ben Rubi had a natural artistic spark that enabled the Rishon Lezion resident to express her unique personality in her works. She dreamed of leaving her mark on the world. On October 7, 2023, she was among those murdered at the Nova music festival.
Upon a Pink Cloud: Remembering Inbar Haiman
Graffiti art was Inbar’s thing, but her creativity was boundless. She was among those abducted at the Nova music festival on October 7, 2023, and was later murdered by Hamas terrorists.
Michal Admoni: Overcoming Difficulty and Writing a Better Life
Michal Admoni endured a great deal of suffering and difficulty in her life, after a medical procedure left her disabled. Writing became her refuge, a means of self-realization, and a remedy for her pain. She shared her insights and love with others—both her readers and her neighbors in Kfar Aza, who used to come to her porch seeking encouragement and comfort through conversation. On October 7, she was murdered with her son Guy, just before she finished writing her third book.
Tari Kipnis: A Kibutznik and an Artist, to the Very End
Tari Kipnis was born near the sea and sailed around the world – only to settle in Kibbutz Be’eri with his beloved Lilach. He lived and breathed art and never stopped looking for ways to create it. When he was stricken with a chronic neurological disease, he began to paint. On October 7, he was murdered with his wife and his caretaker Paul – but he left behind breathtaking paintings, including those which tell the story of the Gaza border region.
Dr. Hayim Katsman: A Brilliant Academic Lecturer and Car Mechanic
He chose an academic career for himself but refused to live in an ivory tower. He financed his studies first by working in a garage, and later through gardening and DJing. He grew up in a religious household in the city of Petah Tikva but decided to dedicate his life to the only place he wanted to call home: Kibbutz Holit in the Negev desert. Dr. Hayim Katsman was a brilliant, special, and generous person whose young life came to an end on that tragic Saturday.
Life After Death: On the Works of Aner Shapira
Aner Shapira never dreamed of becoming a tragic hero. He was a creative artist, a musician, composer, and a writer starting to find his way in the world. In notebooks, on scattered pages, or in computer files – his work filled his home. But he never got to show it to the world. “If I die, publish this,” he wrote to his family, and since his heroic death on October 7, they’ve been doing just that, working to tell not just the story of Aner’s death, but also the story of his life’s work: an album of his songs was released months after his death, and another is on the way.
Bilhah Yinon: The Woman Who Created a New, Better World – From Scrap
Bilhah, who was murdered along with her husband on October 7, was an artist full of optimism, compassion, and good-heartedness. She dedicated her life to educating younger generations to love and preserve nature. The adorable children’s book character she created is part of her legacy.
