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Mourning the victims of Kibbutz Be'eri Ofra Keidar Life Story Family and friends share their stories Ofra was born to Penina and Dovale Gitel, Ofra was their middle child, a sister to Hana and Ilan. Her parents were among the original members of Kibbutz Kedma, which is where Ofra grew up in the first years of her life. In 1962, when Kibbutz Kedma disbanded, the family joined a group of friends and together they moved to Be'eri. In their honor, Be'eri veterans gave up their new duplexes. Dovale and Penina received a room on the second floor above the Efrat family. They arrived during summer vacation. Ofra, Hadas, and Ada, who were finishing third grade, joined “Kitat Shibolim”. Ofra had a hard time coming to terms with the move, especially with being separated from her best friend, who had moved to another kibbutz. It took a long time before Ofra began to feel at home and join the local community of youngsters. She proved to be very athletic, especially excelling in any games that used balls. In dodgeball, her delivery was exceptionally strong and accurate, and the children of Shibolim learned to be careful when Ofra played. They would even warn her not to hurt their stomachs! She was a good girl who took every project seriously. She participated in the customary class plays that regularly took place as a part of the local education, and even then, she showed a rare responsibility and diligence among the youth. As a girl, her big dream was to skydive, so she volunteered to be a parachute folder for the paratroopers. She did this with characteristic precision and efficiency, and also got to parachute from a plane several times. As many Israelis did after the army, as a third year of service she went to help at the newly established Kibbutz Elrom. There she met Sammy. After one year of courtship, the young couple moved to Tel Aviv. Before another year passed, Ofra informed Sammy that they were going to return to Kibbutz Be’eri. There, Ofra started working in the dairy, and Sammy joined the blacksmith shop. Their wedding was held in the spirit of those days. It was a kibbutz style wedding of 5 couples together. Their son Elad was born in 1978, followed by Oran and Yael. Despite her restraint from expressing physical affection, Ofra was a devoted mother. Her great loves were clear to anyone who visited her home: animals and agriculture. There were always dogs in the house. She mainly kept poodles which occasionally participated in dog shows. Ofra tended the garden and loved pots and flowers very much. She cherished beauty, making sure the house was comfortable and pleasant, and did not hesitate to buy things she liked. She didn't like to cook but she would make excellent pastries, without even needing to use recipes. She would always eat quickly because she needed to get back to doing something useful. Ofra worked in the dairy for about 30 consecutive years. She was responsible for taking care of the newborn calves and feeding them with milk. At first, she gave them colostrum and then she would prepare bottles of milk from powder. She had extraordinary physical strength and, like her father Dovale, she never asked for help. In general, her work embodied the qualities she inherited from Dovale and Penina; she was a quiet and efficient worker, who never uttered unnecessary words. She also exhibited diligence, accuracy, cleanliness, and order which were so basic to them that there would have been no need to mention them. Most importantly, she would never fuss about small matters. If there was a need to do something, it was done. She believed that everything either was fine or would be fine. This attitude helped her to move on. She was a working woman and an old-fashioned kibbutznik. When the dairy moved to the edge of the kibbutz, Ofra made a brief attempt to go back and forth with carts, but it was no longer the same. Ofra returned to her old love, working at the children's farm, a local little corner filled with life. She worked there for 15 years and, even when she reached retirement age, she never slowed down. She would do hard physical labor, managing every detail of the maintenance and operation of the farm. There was no task too large or too small for her to handle. She was responsible for ordering the food for the animals and, just like with the calves, she would come every Saturday morning to make sure that the shift workers arrived and that everything was in order. Always in a hurry to work, she was always practical, which led her to never be enthusiastic about taking time off to study, though she happily participated in field trips. Ofra eventually took in Shmil to work with her, promising him that she would stay with him until he retired. Shmil discovered that behind the faҫade of tough armor, she was like a mother to him. When the children grew up, Ofra established a regular routine: in the summer, she would leave at five in the morning in order to get to work on time; she would go to the pool a little before it opened to get the lane she liked and swim 60 laps; and then return to work. After her lunch break, she would watch tennis or NBA games on TV, solve crossword puzzles, or pick up the young grandchildren from kindergarten, and spend time with them in the playground, in the animal farm, or go out to the fields to watch the potatoes and carrots get picked. Always on foot, without a scooter, she felt like she always had to move so as not to be lazy. Her days sometimes included tennis and gymnastics classes, or a daily visit to the shopping mall, where she sometimes bought new sports clothes. On Fridays and Saturdays, she went on her traditional walk, alone or with friends, listening to radio 88FM with oldies from abroad (Ofra especially loved Elvis Presley and Paul Anka). She often laughed when telling people about changes in nature that no one except her noticed, for instance, a new family of foxes, or the sowing of chickpeas in a distant field. Her weekends were dedicated to her daughter Yael. After her morning walk and making a fruit salad, she went out again with Yael for a walk around the kibbutz. They sat leisurely to eat lunch, updating each other as they sat in the dining room. Those were her quiet family Shabbats. Ofra loved the blessed routine of her life: work, sports, music, garden, home, family, kibbutz. She stayed away from entertainment and travel, living life as it is, without unnecessary claims. Until her last Saturday. As usual, Ofra went for a walk at five in the morning. It was still dark outside, which didn’t bother her because there was nothing she would have thought to be afraid of. Near Nakhbir, in her favorite fields, she met terrorists. Yael waited at home and many hours passed before she was evacuated. It was only after two months that we learned of Ofra’s fate. She was 70 years-old at the time of the murder. May her memory be a blessing. Back 02.09.1953 - 07.10.2023 70 years old

Mourning the victims of Kibbutz Be'eri Alon Even Life Story Family and friends share their stories Alon was born and raised in Be’eri, Alon was a curious, bright, mature boy, who did not shy away from taking on responsibilities. He was always in the company of friends, unfailingly willing to lend a hand, just like his parents. Alon was a pure, loving soul who was also dearly beloved. He recently took it upon himself to head the bar mitzvah team responsible for organizing the events of the most significant year in the lives of the Bnei Be'eri Junior High students. When he reached the appropriate age, he started frequenting the gym and lifting weights. He grew taller quickly, yet even after turning into a strong young man, he remained gentle, polite, and sensitive, qualities he shared with his parents. This year, he got his ATV license, and following his dad's lead, went on off-road trips with his buggy. The Even household was warm, welcoming, and hospitable. Chen took care of the kids; they were his pride and joy. Rinat took care of everyone, always available, always empathic. Their house was a source of love and support for the entire kibbutz. They were humble and constantly surrounded by friends. They loved everyone and everyone loved them back. Tomer and Nir, an entire kibbutz is standing with you. Forever. Alon was 16 when he died. May his memory be blessed. Back 28.03.2007 - 07.10.2023 16 years old

Mourning the victims of Kibbutz Be'eri Dr. Daniel Levi Ludmir Life Story Family and friends share their stories Dr. Daniel Levi Ludmir was born in Lima, Peru – the third son of Miriam and Avraham Levi, whose parents emigrated to South America at the beginning of the twentieth century. Along with his brothers, Haim and Michael, the Levi family was and remains a prominent family in Peru’s Jewish community. As a boy, Daniel participated in community events and studied at the Jewish school, was a member of a youth movement, and even served as a security guard at community events. Upon completing high school, he turned to medicine, completing his studies at age 25. Daniel worked among communities in North Peru for two years, after which he decided to emigrate to Israel in fulfillment of his Zionist aspirations and to ensure his future. He arrived in Israel in 2006, completed a six-month Ulpan course, and began studying for his Israeli certification exam. Upon passing the exam, he began working at Ichilov hospital, but six months later enlisted in the IDF, serving as a doctor at the Nahal training camp in Arad. He completed his service 18 months later with the rank of Lieutenant and began working in Shachal medical services. Soon after, he was accepted by the Soroka Medical Center to specialize in E.N.T. Daniel met his wife Lihi just before joining the army, but the attraction was quickly apparent – they were meant for one another. Their firstborn, Emma, was born during his army service, and their son, Liam, was born two and a half years later. Daniel was punctual, detail-oriented, and nothing escaped his attention. Anything he tackled he did eagerly and gracefully. He was a devoted father and a loving partner – the family stalwart who worked vigorously to provide material security for his family. On the morning of October 7th, Daniel was at home with his family, preparing for his Saturday shift at the hospital. Several minutes into the event, he received a phone call that there were injured patients at the clinic. Not thinking twice, he ran there and treated the injured for seven hours, continuously asking after his wife and children who were locked in the shelter. At about 2pm, the security teams’ ammunition ran out and terrorists entered the clinic, murdering nearly everyone with gunshots and grenades. Daniel was a kind-hearted person, who always put others’ needs first, and was the first to help everyone. He had been destined to be a doctor and lived his life’s dream, fulfilling his destiny. He sacrificed his life to help the injured but failed to save himself. Daniel was a hero in life and in death. May his memory be blessed. Back 16.01.1989 - 07.10.2023 34 years old (on-call doctor)

Mourning the victims of Kibbutz Be'eri Rony Levy Life Story Family and friends share their stories Rony was born on September 14th, 1943 in Algeria, the youngest son of Makhlouf and Fortuna. He was the youngest brother to Jacques, who was drafted into the French army during World War II, and Ariel and Ilan, who joined the "Dror" movement and emigrated to Israel to Kibbutz Re'im. Rony immigrated with his parents to Israel at the age of 12 to Kibbutz Re'im, and was sent as Yeled Hutz (a child from a family not from the kibbutz) to Kibbutz Be'eri. Tzafrirah Shomroni taught him Hebrew, and in her and Gideon’s home, he found a family. Within three months, he was speaking Hebrew and had integrated into the Eshel group in school. He taught his friends French songs, excelled in soccer, and worked in the electricity workshop. When he was 17, Rony met Noa when she came to Be'eri for an agricultural school trip. In the army, Rony served as a combat fighter in the Paratrooper’s 890th Battalion, and upon completing this NCO course, attended the parachuting instructor course. During the following years, he did his reserve duty as a parachuting instructor, eagerly responding whenever called up. He parachuted hundreds of times. In addition, due to his skills and knowledge of French, Rony also instructed officers from the Congo and Cameroon, as well as Phalange forces from Lebanon. After the army, at age 21, Rony and Noa married, and a year later, Yuval was born. Eldad was born four years later. Rony wanted to continue his military career but was appointed by the kibbutz as chief electrician. He consequently attended the electrician course at Ruppin College and went on to manage the branch for the kibbutz – insisting that all development, maintenance, and electrical work be done by Be'eri' electricians. In 1973, in a car accident that killed six kibbutz members, Rony lost his adoptive parents, Tzafrirah and Gideon, and just as Gideon and Tzafrirah had adopted him, so did he and Noa adopt their children – Einat and Yaron. In 1976, the kibbutz movement asked Rony to go as an emissary to manage the southern France branch of the "Dror" youth movement. During his stay there, he was called up several times for covert activities in Russia and to meet with Prisoners of Zion. Upon his return, Rony decided to change his career direction and study design and architecture, but he had to delay these studies due to the needs of the kibbutz. Finally, at age 45, he went to study interior and product design in Tel Aviv, graduating with excellence and joining the teaching staff. After his studies, he was offered a job in marketing at the kibbutz printing house, focusing on the greeting-card sector, where he also excelled. In 1995, Rony and Noa went again to southern France as immigration emissaries on behalf of the Jewish Agency. Upon their return, Rony applied and was accepted to be the construction coordinator of the kibbutz, and ended up building the Ashalim neighborhood and upgrading and designing the workspaces and offices in the printing house. As a result, he became an integral member of the printing press maintenance team and a partner in their legendary Tuesday-morning breakfasts. Even after retiring, he remained a consultant for design changes at the printing house. At the same time, Rony was an active partner in every project throughout the kibbutz that required architectural design, such as the Garden of the Sixties. He provided interior design consultation to any kibbutz member who asked, and together with a team led by Tamar Ben Zvi, he was involved in establishing a memorial room for fallen soldiers in the armament room and in establishing the Founders Square in honor of the kibbutz founders in the community center – a project only recently completed. Rony was a devoted athlete. He started as a dangerous left fielder at Hapoel Be'eri in soccer, where he played with Gideon Shomroni and many others. As he grew older, he switched to tennis and eventually fell in love with cycling – both road and off-track. Rony crossed Israel twice on his bike and even organized cycling trips for himself and his friends in Israel and abroad. In recent years, Rony had a tradition: every birthday, he rode his age in kilometers, and just a month before his death, he biked an entire 80-kilometer trek. Rony was a family man. When Eldad moved with his children to Australia, it was very difficult for Rony, but he knew how to maintain the relationship from a distance and kept daily contact with his grandchildren Shuni, Liam, and Dean. Rony was happy when Yuval finally found Nurit and started a family with her, soon adding Daniel and Eilon to the fold, as well as the families established by Einat and Danny with grandchildren Ayelet, Nimrod, Avner, and Dana, and Yaron and Alison with grandchildren Gideon, Millie, and Yuval. In recent years, Rony became a great-grandfather with the birth of his great-grandchildren Noam, Ya'el, and Sol, but Rony, who was named after him, he did not get to know. Rony was murdered on October 7th, 2023, as he fought bravely, until his last bullet, against the murderers who broke into his home. He managed to save Noa, but not himself. In the book "Life Stories," to commemorate Be'eri's 60th anniversary, Rony wrote: "When I take stock of my life, I thank my two brothers who paved the way for me to the country and the kibbutz, and my parents who dared to follow in their footsteps. It is difficult for me to believe that I would have developed elsewhere in so many different ways and in so many endeavors. The motto, which has characterized my life is 'Veni, Vidi, Vici' - 'I came, I saw, I conquered.' I always aim high and feel that I have achieved what I wanted." May his memory be blessed. Back 14.09.1943 - 07.10.2023 80 years old

Mourning the victims of Kibbutz Be'eri Tchelet Fishbain Life Story Family and friends share their stories Tchelet was born in Ashdod seven years after Li’el. Her mother Gladys was born and raised in Be’eri, and when Tchelet was three years old, the family returned to Be’eri. In February, about a month after they had arrived, Gladys and Tchelet, when leaving the building of the children’s home Ofarim, were hit by shrapnel from a Qassam rocket. Since the attack, Tchelet was left with shrapnel in her leg. In August 2008, the family moved to Kibbutz Urim. Together with the children of the kibbutz she went to the first grade of Nitzanei Eshkol elementary school, and after finishing that school she went to Nofei Habsor school. In this way she acquired more and more friends. Tchelet was a precocious girl, opinionated and assertive, always seeking justice - a girl with her feet on the ground. Once she had made a decision, it was impossible to change her mind. By the time she was in her early teens, she was “the other half” – a listening ear, offering sound advice, tolerant, a good and dear friend. The tenth grade was the Covid year. It was a hard year for her, being disconnected from her best friends outside of Urim. For that reason, when she started in the eleventh grade she asked to be placed in a special class, with Batya Marzayev, a teacher who was an important person for her, both at school and in her personal life. She passed her final exams with high marks, in the arts curriculum. For Tchelet, social life was important and meaningful, like it is for most girls or boys of her age. Her mother invested much time in driving her, to ensure that Tchelet wouldn’t miss any get-togethers. Like all the children of Urim, she was a member of the socialist youth movement Hanoar Haoved Vehalomed . She participated in activities and summer camps. In the ninth grade she became a youth leader and in the eleventh grade she became part of the Sartan (Crab) unit of the youth movement, and she went rafting with them. They became a wonderful group of friends who kept in touch with her even after she had finished high school. On her eighteenth birthday she flew with her girlfriends to Paphos (Cyprus), and even had the chance to fulfill her dream to travel to the Sinai. Tchelet lived her life to the fullest. She loved to go to parties, go out into nature, have drinks with her girlfriends on Giv’at Hakalaniyot, the Hill of Anemones. Together they went to see the sunset, to lie on the roof of the dining room and watch the stars, went for night walks around the kibbutz, and have deep, intimate conversations. People who were younger than she – and older people as well – always found an attentive ear and good advice. From the moment she started to drive a car she often went to eat sushi in the evening, or to the Zikim Beach she loved so much. Tchelet had a strong sense of responsibility and work ethic, which was evident wherever she worked: in the children’s home, in the cowshed or in the ice cream parlor where she had worked in Urim for one year and a half. Tchelet applied for a year of agricultural service on a kibbutz in the Arava. Because she wasn’t accepted, she decided to stay close to her grandmother in Be’eri. So she arrived there in July to work as a temporary worker in the babies’ home with Dana Bachar z.l. It took her some time to get used to life away from home, but gradually she made new friends. Shortly after her, Dor Rider came to the kibbutz. They immediately felt drawn to each other. They were like one soul; their personalities were alike, and so were their ethics. About a week before the Shabbat, they went to a party in the Be’eri woods. They spent Succoth with Dor’s parents, and they had planned to travel to relatives on kibbutz Bror Hayil on Saturday, October 7. On the preceding evening, the birthday of the kibbutz was celebrated in the community center. Tchelet and Dor managed to kiss and embrace the family, and promised they would meet the next day. A kiss for grandma and for mother Gladys, a last kiss. Saturday morning the kibbutz woke up to the sounds of explosions from the terrible attack and the infiltration of the terrorists. Between 6:30 and 11:23 Tchelet spent long hours of correspondence with her mother, with Li’el, and with friends. She managed to tell that Dor was protecting her. And then the connection was cut off. For ten days her fate was unknown. Her telephone was located in Gaza, and there was hope that she was taken hostage. And then came the knock on the door, and the terrible news that Tchelet was no longer alive. Tchelet was a wonderful, high-spirited sister, granddaughter and friend. She spread light and love around her. We will remember her with her big smile, and with her outer and inner beauty. We miss you dearly, and so do lots of your childhood friends on Urim and Be’eri, the family, and all the people whose lives you have touched. Tchelet’s greatest loves were the kibbutz, nature and the sea. Therefore, mother Gladys decided to lay her to eternal rest on Kibbutz Ga’ash, close to the sea. May her memory be a blessing. Back 30.06.2005 - 07.10.2023 18 years old

Mourning the victims of Kibbutz Be'eri Zehava Heker Life Story Family and friends share their stories Zehava and Ze’ev Heker, of Blessed Memory, a great love story. Zehava was born on 13 December 1954 in Givatayim, and at age nine, arrived as an external student (Yaldat Hutz) on Be’eri. Rina and Avraham Hevron were her adoptive family. She was a shy child who hardly uttered a word, and grew up strikingly beautiful, with long dark hair, dignified and sensitive. Zehava served in the IDF in the Golani Operations Command. When she was released, she returned to civilian life via Nahal Na’aran in the Jordan Valley as an emissary of Kibbutz Be’eri. At Na’aran, she managed the vegetable garden, where she met Ze’ev. Ze’ev was born 27 February 1951 on Gan Yoshiya, the first child born on the Moshav. He was a child any parent would love, filled them with pride, and was adored by his teachers. He was clever, direct, and hated lies. At aged ten, he moved with his family to Moshav Tkuma, where he enjoyed a happy childhood. His parents educated him from an early age to be independent and brave, and gave him chores, like riding in the dark to fetch milk, and without him knowing, followed from a distance. Once he went on a hike with his brother, Pinchas, and their dog, Outlaw. Suddenly they heard firing. Apparently, the firing originated from Gaza, and Outlaw shielded Zeev and his brother with his body. Ze’ev studied at the Mikvah Agricultural High School, and that period molded him personally and professionally, turning him into a person of the land. He had a talent for building transistor radios, and travelled into Tel Aviv to buy parts, putting them together from scratch. He was also a strong chess player, and won second place in a high-school championship. In his army service, he was a tank commander. He had already boarded a bus to take a holiday after being demobilized, when the Yom Kippur War broke out. Ze’ev fought in Sinai, where his tank was hit twice, and twice during the war he changed tanks. The war was a significant event in his life, and he recounted it in many stories to his children. At age 24, Ze’ev arrived at Na’aran, in the Jordan Valley, and worked there in agriculture. Amongst other things, he was responsible for the water supply. He lived the life of a cowboy, riding around armed with a Kalashnikov, between enemy Arab villages, in a period during which there were many infiltrations from Jordan. At Na’aran, Ze’ev met the love of his life – Zehava, and she met the love of her life – Ze’ev. Ze’ev fell in love with Zehava after he understood that she knew how to tell the difference between weeds and watermelon. After two weeks, Zehava spoke to her younger brother, Avi, and told him that she had met a gingi – a redhead. She asked that Avi come and visit. When Avi arrived, he was amazed at the bond between them: Ze’ev gazed at Zehava in marvel, and similarly, she gazed back at him. It did not stop nor diminish for all the world. They continued to look at each other like that for 46 years. Ze’ev followed Zehava to Be’eri. They married on May 7, 1978, and their three children were raised at Be’eri: Limor, Dvir and Hagay. Zehava worked in several positions on the Kibbutz. She managed a department at Be’eri Print, and worked long hours every day. For several years she worked as a caregiver at the primary school, where the children liked her so much they continued to visit her long after leaving. Zehava loved to help other people. She had a special talent to see the good in each person, and to be positive and complimentary. Girlfriends poured out their hearts to her, and people were drawn to her like a magnet. Ze’ev said of her, “No matter where we were, everyone loved Zehava”. She was creative and industrious, and nurtured a home and spectacular garden, concocted natural soaps, prepared dried fruits, and learnt to grow succulent plants. She had a heart of gold, hands of gold, and everything she touched turned to gold, as her name – Zehava/Goldie - implies. She was devoted to all her work and gave infinitely. Zehava was interested in spirituality and the human soul, and learnt and became knowledgeable in this field by reading copiously and taking courses. Ze’ev was a man of the land, a farmer through and through, and served as the Director of Agriculture on Be’eri. He occasionally held other positions on the Kibbutz, but always returned to farming. He grew gladiolas, potatoes, wheat, peanuts, maize, and peas. Ze’ev was a humble man, and a perfectionist. He held very high standards, and said of good work, “This was carried out by the rulebook”. Many farmers came to learn from him and consult with him. Every time anew, he loved to work, to sow, to water, and to harvest. At one point, he was his son Hagay’s direct supervisor at work, and taught him the secrets of the land. Even after his retirement at age 70, he continued to work shifts on the tractor, to calibrate tools, and to remain updated on what was happening in the fields and on the land. From the time they met, Zehava and Ze’ev did everything together. Ze’ev went along with the follies of Zehava. She didn’t drive, and he drove her everywhere, and would wait for her at each place. “Thanks to this”, he would say, “I got to know new places”. On her birthday, he would always buy her a new piece of jewelry, and would write a meaningful letter. The respect between them remained always, even though now and again a quarrel would occur. They always knew how to accommodate each other. Ze’ev always complimented her. They hugged and kissed each time they met and parted, and passed this onto their children, who are also accustomed to hugging and kissing when meeting and parting. Zehava mothered like a lioness, with warmth and a watchful eye, pushing her cubs to independence. Ze’ev taught his children to respect every person, and instilled in them the principle “everyone is a human being, until proven otherwise”. They knew how to give quality time to each child separately. Both cared for their children, but whenever they called to inquire about their wellbeing, each spoke for the other: “Your father is worried” or “Your mother is concerned”… They were wonderful grandparents to 11 grandchildren. Zehava was devoted to them and very involved in their lives. Ze’ev told his grandkids, any help you need, just ask. He always took them and fetched them from every place, and every time a class at school was cancelled, they called him immediately. Ze’ev and Zehava loved to hike and travel in Israel. When Ze’ev retired, he bought a jeep to travel with his kids and grandkids. It did not matter to where, the main thing was to travel and to enjoy nature. When his children were small, Ze’ev didn’t agree to go on a family holiday sleeping in a tent, because he said he had enough tents during his annual reserve duty. Only after he retired, and out of respect for his grandchildren, did he agree to sleep with them in a tent. They even bought him a tent as a present for a birthday. Zehava and Ze’ev were both bibliophiles. They both read a lot a lot and studied a lot. Zehava loved the song, Matanot Ktanot (“Small gifts”) by Rami Kleinstein and Ze’ev loved Yeled Shel Abba (“Daddy’s Boy”) by Mookie. On the eve of Simchat Torah, Ze’ev and Zehava spent time with their sons, Hagai and Dvir, and their families, and parted as usual with a hug and kiss. The following morning, Saturday, October 7, the Kibbutz woke to the sound of fire. As soon as it became apparent that terrorists had infiltrated Be’eri, Zehava asked everyone on the family WhatsApp group to give a sign of life. At a certain point, Zehava wrote that there were terrorists outside their home and at 13:50, they entered. Ze’ev and Zehava had locked themselves within their safe room. Dvir and Hagai's families were rescued during the night, but contact was lost with Zehava and Ze’ev. Apparently, the terrorists took them as hostages to another house in the neighbourhood, where there was a shoutout with Yamam , the Police National Counter Terror Unit. Their fate was unknown for 11 days, until the family received notification of their passing. Zehava and Ze’ev Heker were honest, ethical, hard-working people, people of virtue. They loved their family, their children, and their grandchildren, and were very devoted to them. They loved, respected, and admired each other, every day and every hour, until the last moment. The poet Zelda wrote: I am connected by thread To you Our beloved festivals And wonderful periods of the year With a treasure of fragrances, flowers Fruit, leaves, and spirits With the mist and rain The sudden snow And dew Hanging by a longing thread You and me and the sabbath You and me we lived In a previous life You and me And the lie And the fear And the torn You and me And the Creator of the Heavens does not have Seashore You and me And the riddle You and me And death May their good memory be a blessing. Back 13.12.1954 - 07.10.2023 68 years old

Mourning the victims of Kibbutz Be'eri Yehudit Yitzhaki Life Story Family and friends share their stories Yehudit Yitzhaki was born on September 21, 1947 in a displaced person’s camp in Turin, Italy. Her parents, Yaakov and Tzipora Radzinsky, survived the Holocaust and crossed the Alps from Austria to Italy. Nearly their entire family was murdered in the Treblinka Death Camp. In August 1948, Yaakov, Tzipora and Yehudit boarded the S.S.Kedma to Israel where they settled in the Givat Aliyah section of Jaffa. A year later, Yehudit’s brother Natan was born. In 1950, the family moved to Kibbutz Kinneret. After two years, the family returned to Jaffa. As a child, Yehudit was a diligent student in both her academic and dance studies. At age 18, she frequented Tel Aviv’s pubs and parties of the 1960’s. Since her graduating class was not drafted into the IDF, Yehudit did not serve in the military. She began working in one of Tel Aviv’s most prominent law firms, becoming an exemplary worker even then. Yehudit was young and beautiful. Throughout her life, she remained lovely and attractive. Even the young girls of Kibbutz Be'eri would comment on her beauty. Yehudit met Shimon in 1970 when he taught her how to drive. Their love quickly blossomed. They became close, spent time together for two years, and married. Yehudit and Shimon made their home in Givataim, where their children Tzachi, Gidi and Udi were born. The family arrived in Kibbutz Be'eri in 1976. Despite the communal sleeping arrangements for children, Yehudit remained quite present in her sons’ lives, and was always there for them. She passed down to her three sons her iron will and her mandate to contribute to society. The boys became diligent students and went on to assume significant positions in the Israeli security establishment. Yehudit was a strong woman whose sense of justice was acute and highly-developed – sometimes too highly-developed. She reached exceptional accomplishments in her work. Beginning as a secretary in the Kibbutz Be'eri Printing House, over her 14 years there Yehudit expanded her position, advanced, and gained expertise in many fields, specializing primarily in the import-export realm. Like all caring professionals, Yehudit always told the truth, even when her opinion differed from others. In a different position as a school administrator, she worked in an exceptional manner with the Ministry of Education and obtained numerous rights for teachers. Her totality, dedication and endless hours of work did not go unnoticed by the kibbutz. In the position as Payroll Administrator of the kibbutz, she worked to preserve worker’s rights and achieved notable accomplishments. Yehudit was always the right person in the right place, with the proper abilities, leaving an indelible mark on all that she touched. Contrary to kibbutz tradition, Yehudit did not know how to ride a bicycle. Her vehicle of transportation was a tricycle. This was before the age of mobility scooters. “Yehudit’s tricycle” was mythological among the extended family. Yehudit was the heart of the family, always at the core, always remembering every birthday, always feeding and pampering everyone. She took care of her parents who came to live on the kibbutz, conversing with them in fluent, piquant Yiddish, especially when she didn’t want her children to understand. That worked -- they really didn’t understand. The lights of her life were her grandchildren Maya, Luke, Arbel, Rotem, Eyal, Zohar, Gil and Noam. Yehudit had a special bond with granddaughters Maya and Gil, since she had no daughters, yet she was absolutely the grandmother of all, bounding with energy and activity. She kept in close touch and open communication with her grandsons and granddaughters, including via their own WhatsApp group. Her youthful spirit came to the fore. And just as Yehudit influenced her grandchildren, they influenced her as well. Yehudit was a cigarette smoker for nearly forty years. Yet one day, when her five-year-old grandson Zohar told her, “Grandma, no cigarettes,” she stopped smoking at once. Just like that, in one day. Yehudit loved to read. Her home library was very rich, and she mastered the intricacies of Hebrew. She loved to listen to Barbara Streisand and Yehoram Gaon, and to Dollie Parton and country music as well. On October 7, 2023, when terrorists infiltrated the kibbutz, Yehudit was alone at home. Her children were in touch with her until the last moment. Despite the fear and terror, Yehudit, in true form, succeeded to think clearly. Already in the first message to her children, she asked that they check to make sure the army was on the way. She immediately grasped that there were terrorists in her home. She devoted her last moments to parting from her children and her husband. Yehudit did not survive the attack on her – and on the kibbutz. To no one’s surprise, Yehudit had informed her dear ones in advance of the song she wished to have played at her funeral, “Like a Wildflower,” as sung by Hava Alberstein. She even wrote this on the door, lest anyone forget. And indeed, no one will forget Yehudit Yitzhaki. A wildflower like no other. A woman strong and present. “Those with forgiving hearts, will forgive me of my love," said the song she so loved, “Time will heal the pain, and I must set off on my way.” May her memory be blessed. Back 21.09.1947 - 07.10.2023 76 years old

Mourning the victims of Kibbutz Be'eri Mazi Bachar Life Story Family and friends share their stories Mazi (Mazal) Bachar was born on December 24, 1959 in Nesher, a city on the foothills of Mt. Carmel. She was the firstborn of Eliyahu, of blessed memory, and Rachel. Since she was born on the eve of Hanukkah, her parents considered naming her either Orit (Light) in honor of the holiday or Mazal after Eliyahu's mother. In the end, they chose Mazal, yet the light of the holiday remained in her and radiated through the gentle kindness she showed everyone around. When Mazi was a year old, the family moved to Kiryat Yam, where her sisters were born: Etti, two and a half years her junior, and Hagit, who was twelve years younger. Eliyahu worked for the Solel Boneh construction company while Rachel raised the girls, cleaned, cooked, and baked - the aromas of her Friday cakes traveling far and wide. The parents spoke Ladino at home, and Mazi picked it up, charmed by the humor and richness of the language. Even as an adult, she sometimes peppered conversations with amusing Ladino expressions remembered from childhood. She was a very clever child, a good student who liked learning - a "nerd" as she referred to herself. Her homework was always done, her grades were always high, and her parents were always proud of her. As a serious bookworm, she would bring a book even to the dinner table and read until her mother scolded her. Sisters Etti and Hagit admired her, and if Etti sometimes interrupted her studies, it was only to get the attention of her beloved older sister. Mazi attended the Amirim Primary School and the Rodman High School in Kiryat Yam, and though she was quiet and somewhat shy, she made good friendships that remained with her all her life. With her friends, she joined the HaNoar HaOved VeHaLomed (The Working and Studying Youth) youth movement, which may have been the source of her dream of living on a kibbutz – a shared life where the community becomes family. In the IDF, she was in the Nahal Brigade's Bereishit group, based in Kibbutz Ein Gev by Lake Kinneret. During leave from the army, she often visited her beloved Grandma Mazal for whom she was named. Grandma Mazal lived in Jaffa, and her gorgeous garden was famed for its unique plants and objects of beauty. Mazi inherited her grandmother's green thumb and love of plants, which she carried to her dying day. This love reflected her passion for beauty – for Mazi loved beautiful things. She recognized, needed, and created beauty. With a natural aesthetic inclination, she instinctively knew how to place items in space to form harmony. Despite this attraction to design, Mazi chose to focus on education. She studied pedagogy at Oranim College after the army and returned to Ein Gev as a teacher. She taught history and Bible – two subjects that had always interested her – and when a few years later she received the offer to become a teacher in Be'eri, she accepted the challenge and redirected her life to the kibbutz that became her home. Mazi adored Be'eri: its landscape and its people. The students she cared for in Be'eri never forgot her, many coming to visit even after graduation. She had endless patience and would explain things as many times as needed, always quietly and with a profound desire to convey knowledge. Her beloved niece Moran, who saw in her as sort of an older sister, asked for her help preparing for her finals in Bible and history, and though she found the material "really boring", Mazi managed to make it engaging by finding new angles, telling exciting stories and anecdotes. Despite her vast love of her students and the fact that she saw education as her purpose, doubtlessly Mazi's greatest mission in life was realizing her dream of becoming a mother. She called her choice to become a single mother "the bravest decision of her life", since in 1994, when she brought Ofri to the world, single parenthood was still a rare thing in Israel in general and especially on kibbutzim. Ofri, who later added the name Ayala, was Mazi's only daughter, the apple of her eye, and her joy. For her, Mazi would have brought the moon down from the sky. Their relationship was especially powerful: an independent, small, very close family unit. When Ofri was small, her mother nicknamed her "my tail", so inseparable they were. Mazi did everything to afford Ofri the sense that she had a large and caring family. The extended family – Grandma Rachel, sisters Etti and Hagit, their partners and children – were an important and central part of their lives, with whom they spent as much time as they could. At family gatherings, Mazi was always examining the recipes and asking how each dish was cooked, even though everyone knew she would never make them herself. She collected the recipes of her mother's household as rare treasures: like mogados , Turkish marzipan, or bimuelos , a Passover treat she loved so much that she named the family women's lively WhatsApp group after it. In addition to the larger family, Mazi had friends from her teaching days: Ayelet, Mati, Pesi, and Yona – together with their partners and children, they became vital parts of Mazi and Ofri's life. They all dined together on Friday nights, went on trips, and spent time together. In this wise way, Mazi created a warm, loving environment for the two of them. Once the school in Be'eri closed down, Mazi stopped teaching and worked for a few years as a medical secretary. Like everything she did, she was very helpful in that setting as well, and everyone loved her, much like at the kibbutz shop where she worked for another few years until her retirement a year before her death. Since then, she was finally free to engage in her favorite hobbies: traveling the word with her "Octet", giving design advice to anyone who asked, caring for her garden, and dedicating time to the family she so loved. Mazi learned the art of visual journals. Batya guided her in turning her thoughts and feelings into artistic material, and she drew, wrote, collaged, and designed diaries into which she poured her heart in her signature aesthetic. She left behind these creations as well as the funny animals she knitted and the collages through which she expressed her beautiful, sensitive soul. Everything she touched exhibited that soul. Her crafts, her potted plants, her cyclamens that blossomed even in summer because she was the cyclamen whisperer and cared for them even in her final hours, as she was locked in the safe room. But most of all she poured her soul into the people she loved: her friends, girlfriends, family, kibbutz members, and her daughter, to whom she devoted her love and her entire heart. Through all the beloved people she has left behind, her light will continue to shine forever. May her memory be blessed. Back 24.12.1959 - 07.10.2023 63 years old

Mourning the victims of Kibbutz Be'eri Yonat Or Life Story Family and friends share their stories Yonat was born in November 1972. Her parents, Aviva and Hannan Besorai, have two older children, Ahal and Noyit. Aviva worked in accounting and Hannan was the kibbutz carpenter. Yonat grew up in the carpentry shop surrounded by the scent of wood and Turkish coffee. She loved the place dearly and it became a significant part of her adult life. Until the age of twelve, Yonat slept in the children’s home on the kibbutz. She was the reigning queen of her kindergarten class, Gan Hatzav , and later stood out in her elementary school class,Kitat Zayit . At night, Yonat would often escape the children’s home, running back to her parents and their warm embrace. Despite strict kibbutz rules, Yonat wouldn’t be returned to sleep with the rest of the children at the communal home, and her classmates got used to seeing her empty bed when they woke up in the morning. Yonat was a strong girl with an inner sense of peace. She became a steady source of love and stability, but she also had a playful and mischievous side. She was a diligent and serious student but at the same time, she was also part of the group of rebellious teens, sneaking into the pool and having late night meals at the children’s home. Yonat was equally comfortable in both worlds, perhaps because of her fantastic sense of humor. Her hearty laugh was never cruel. When she was still a teenager, Yonat worked on the kibbutz doing landscaping and got a license to drive a tractor. It came in handy when she became a bar mitzvah counselor, when she would drive in wearing blue coveralls and heavy work boots. She never drove a car, but still managed to get wherever she needed to go. After her military service in the munitions unit of the Southern Command office and a gap year spent working in the kibbutz kindergarten, Yonat moved to Tel Aviv. She waitressed for a while at the Hard Rock Cafe, and studied for her university entrance exams, living life in the big city. She was accepted to Ramat Gan College where she pursued a degree in psychology. Like all students who are kibbutzniks, Yonat was required to do mandatory work on the kibbutz, which is how she met Dror, who was from kibbutz Reim, but worked at Be'eri at the time. Yonat described how they met: “The encounter between us was cosmic. We’re very similar but also totally different. Dror is a yoga teacher, like me. He’s also a chef and a fromagier at “Be'eri Cheese ''. The young couple moved in together, and lived in Tel Aviv and later in Rehovot, where Yonat worked for Holmes Place Gyms. They got married in 2003 and a year later, returned to live in Be'eri, where Yali, Noam and Alma were born. Yonat was a protective and loving mother; their home was always filled with family and friends. They were busy: attending parties, workshops, yoga retreats, hiking with friends, hosting sumptuous dinners with good food and fine wines. Their parties always lasted late into the night because no one wanted to leave. Yonat began working for the printing press at Be'eri as a production planner. A few years later, she switched to the department of human resources, but while working at the printing press, she discovered a new passion: restoring wooden furniture. She described it as follows: “When we renovated our house, I suddenly discovered my passion for design. There was a real spark in my eyes and my talent for it developed and grew over the years.” Yonat began collecting furniture that had stories to them and renovated them on her porch. She had the instinct to see potential in items that looked like junk. In 2009, her new hobby became official: Yonat opened a small carpentry shop on the kibbutz, renovating furniture and selling the pieces. It was only open one day a week. Vintage furniture hadn’t yet become fashionable, but the trend was beginning to catch on. Yonat recognized the potential and asked the kibbutz to let her use the old carpentry space. She had good people skills and she put together a team that helped transform her ideas into finely designed pieces that had a distinct style. In 2015, she opened her business, “Ayuna, a Simple Story of Wood”. The kibbutz carpentry’s old machines came to life, and a finishing and painting area were added along with a boutique shop. A unique vision was born. The designs were made of solid wood that incorporated antique glass and wooden slats in 50’s-60’s style. Everyone who entered the store was struck by the retro atmosphere, which, coupled with Yonat’s vibrant personality, infused the place with vintage charm. You could sip coffee on the front porch and watch the tractors park in the shed. Every once in a while, mostly before the holidays, the kibbutz held colorful fairs on the road by the studio, selling handicrafts and home-made items. Yonat became a successful businesswoman, but at the same time she believed with all her heart that there was true value, even healing, to be found in the personal connection between a customer and the piece of furniture that she or he purchased. The store and the brand became famous. The online store took off and Ayuna furniture was soon found in homes all across the country. Yonat became a prominent figure in Israeli interior design. In one of her interviews she said: “I really love people; I love meeting people, and all of my areas of interest just came together. I am fulfilling my destiny. I know it sounds like a big word, but it’s becoming more and more clear to me on this journey.” She wasn’t thrown off course by her success. She always spoke humbly of herself and began the story with, “You’ll never believe what happened...” Perhaps Yonat herself was a simple story of wood; a pillar of strength for her family and for her ever-growing circles of friends. Before Rosh Hashana she wrote on her website: “It’s a perfect time to reflect, to take stock, be intentional, focus, request and bless. Remember that it’s not about the destination but the journey, what we learn and who we become. It’s a long one, full of setbacks and successes. I built this business with my own two hands, with a strong will and the determination to succeed…and it’s not always easy. It requires great strength, motivation and a strong connection to my core values, my goals, and what matters to me in life. For myself, I hope to keep forging my path and treading on it safely, and that I will always be true to myself. My wish for everyone is: Don't give up, keep dreaming and fulfilling your dreams.” Yonat was murdered on Shabbat, October 7, 2023. Our hearts are with Yali, Noam and Alma. May her memory be a blessing. Back 05.11.1972 - 07.10.2023 50 years old

Mourning the victims of Kibbutz Be'eri Tal Siton Life Story Family and friends share their stories Tal, the second son of Hannah and Yitzhak Siton, brother to Lior, Noa, and Ran, was born and raised in Hod Hasharon. He was a vibrant, significant figure as a basketball player for Maccabi Hod Hasharon, in neighborhood football matches, in outings and leisure activities, in studies, alone and with friends, in moments of joy. He completed his studies at Mosenson High School in 1993 and enlisted in the army. He served in the Kfir Brigade in Lebanon (Golani) as a sergeant in the "Good Fence" Zone in Metula. Following the Oslo Accords, he served in the Coordination Unit with the Palestinian Authority. Tal earned a bachelor's degree in computer science from the College of Management Academic Studies in Rishon LeZion and worked in development and managerial roles in various startups and tech companies. He married Einat in 2009 and brought into the world his beloved daughters, Zoey and Gaia, to whom he was a loving and devoted father until the end. Tal was bold, strong, assertive, bursting with self-confidence and charisma, full of zest for life and friends. He was a shining personality with a unique mind; he was an entrepreneur at heart, a dreamer of technological and creative dreams. Tal was worldly man drawn to far-away and exotic destinations. Wherever he went, he absorbed the local energy, culture, and wisdom, embedding them into the art he created, with a talent for painting inherited from his mother, Hannah. In the past year, his nature as a devoted and loving son was particularly evident when he stepped up to care for his parents when they needed him. On the eve of Simchat Torah, Tal and his parents, Hannah and Yitzhak, were together with Pessi and her children, as in every year, were at Kibbutz Bari. The family gathered for the traditional Friday night meal, dancing and singing together in the family dining room. The next day, on Saturday, the 7th of October, at 6:30 in the morning, amidst the blare of sirens, they sought refuge in the shelter. According to testimonies, his father, Yitzhak, attempted to block the terrorists with his body alongside Tal, but both were shot and killed on the spot. Tal was injured in the leg and left wounded and bleeding as the terrorists rounded up more people from neighboring houses. For hours, a battle raged between a large force of terrorists and the IDF and border police units. Toward evening, tank shells were fired at the house. Out of the fourteen residents of the kibbutz, only two women survived to recount the final moments. Tal loved life, and life loved him back. He loved freedom, loved to dream, was a philosopher at heart seeking answers. He was a fascinating conversationalist who made a career out of the "art of debate," known for his exceptional persuasive skills, always with a smile and a twinkle in his eye. Wherever he went, he stayed true to himself, spoke from the heart, and had an exceptional influence on those around him, especially his family—his parents, siblings, and daughters—for whom he was particularly meaningful. The sentences he uttered remained in their memory for years, shaping the way they understood the nature of the world. In one of his deep soul-searching conversations with his sister Noa, Tal explained his view of life: "Life is simply a performance - we're all sitting in the auditorium, watching, and as the show gets more intense, even scary, we move closer to the edge of our seats, waiting to see what happens next. As the tension rises, the catharsis becomes stronger, and our enjoyment is more complete." "And what happens in the end?" asked Noa. "Oh, that's the best part - we just die and go home." That was Tal - he understood life, stayed true to himself, and simply enjoyed the show. He was 49 at his death. May his memory be a blessing Back 20.04.1974 - 07.10.2023 49 years old (Pesi Cohen's nephew)

Mourning the victims of Kibbutz Be'eri Liel Hetzroni Life Story Family and friends share their stories Liel was born in the spring of 2011, together with her twin brother, Yanai. Their overjoyed mother, Shira, had only a few hours to enjoy them before her medical condition took a turn for the worse. Complications at the hospital altered the course of Shira’s life, making it impossible for her to raise the twins full-time, though her place as their mother was never diminished. The Hetzroni family came together around the children, forming a loving family unit that would help raise the children and care for Shira. Shira's father, Avia, was both grandfather and a father to the twins. Eva was the solid and steady grandmother who loved to spoil her granddaughter. Avia’s sister, Ayala (Aylus), was the great-aunt who took on the role of a mother. The other aunts, together with the cousins, were everything they could have wished for - a loving, extended family that was both supportive and enabling. Liel grew up surrounded by love. Perhaps due to the special circumstances of her life, she was both mature for her years and childish. She was a strong, resilient child, but she also harbored fears which she battled with bravery and honesty. Only those closest to her knew about her fears. Aylus was very close to her. They looked out for each other. Aylus protected Liel, and Liel looked out for Aylus, who suffered a cardiac arrest a few years prior to 2023. Liel had a special relationship with Yanai, her twin brother - love and togetherness, and arguments and reconciliations, some small, others bigger - like typical twins. Every day they went out together on Saba Avia’s mobility scooter, visiting Safta Eva and Shira, their mother. Liel also had a special connection with Eyal, her cousin. When she was little, Liel wanted to do everything that Eyal did: eat what she ate and dress like her. When she got a little older, she loved going with Eyal to the beach and eating at McDonald’s on Saturdays. When she wanted something, she knew how to persist in getting it. Liel was part of her Class group known as Lilach (Lilac), which consisted of 6 boys and 12 girls. She had two nicknames - the main one was Looly, but she also shared a nickname with her twin brother: Hetzbooki and Hetzbooka, derived from their surname, Hetzroni. Studying was not what interested her most, but in the classroom she was impossible to miss - full of energy, personality, and a presence that filled the room. Liel was sociable and sensitive to those around her - both children and adults. Liel blossomed outside of the classroom and school grounds, with her sensitivity and love for other children, with her creativity and the love she gave to everyone. Dror commented that “Liel taught me many things”. When cousins Omri, Michal and the children came to spend Shabbat on the kibbutz, it became her excuse to squeeze from Aylus an extra day off from school so that she could spend time with Arbel and Ma’ayan. This is how Liel managed to get Aylus to make an exception to their agreement that she would only miss school every other Friday. Liel’s classmates describe a lovely girl who enjoyed hanging out with her girlfriends, baking and cooking. She was goofy. She had a big heart that was pure and innocent. She was the kind of girl who knew how to organize things and get them done, both in the classroom and outside of it. She was a drama queen, and even when she got really mad, she never held a grudge and always forgave. She was a girl with a big laugh, who was forgiven for almost everything, who knew how to encourage her friends in tough moments, and to make sure her friends were happy, even when she herself did not feel good. Liel had all kinds of dreams. She deliberated whether to become a cosmetician, singer or pastry chef. In the meantime, like many of her generation, she was active on Instagram and expressed herself freely through painting, drama and art. In grade six, Liel and her classmates began working in the petting zoo of the kibbutz. In addition, Liel began working in the local kindergarten, Gan Tamar, where she proved herself to be as mature as the grownups working there. When school finished for the summer, Liel and Yanai appeared in the end of year show and were very excited to be part of it. They rehearsed in Sagi and Efrat Shifroni’s house, and everyone said how proud and happy they were. In the start of the 2023 school year, Liel was supposed to begin the bat-mitzvah year of her class. She was so excited by this that she had already made sure her uncles and aunts, and other relatives would come on the appointed date for the big celebration. Sagi says that she had learned to tie a Square Knot and that she had returned home and demonstrated animatedly with her hands. Liel was honest and straightforward about herself. On many occasions she said she was not good at certain things, but she overcame this, she insisted on trying again, and was overjoyed and proud when she succeeded. Liel never got to celebrate her bat mitzvah. Her class will no longer have 6 boys and 12 girls in it, as they did at the start of the Bar Mitzvah school year. Liel was murdered on Shabbat on October 7th, along with her twin-brother, Yanai, and Ayala who was like a mother to them. Avia, her grandfather, was also murdered that same horrible Shabbat. That unique quartet left this world together, even death could not tear them apart. May her memory be blessed forever. Back 6.4.2011 - 07.10.2023 12 years old

Mourning the victims of Kibbutz Be'eri Ido Even Life Story Family and friends share their stories Ido was born in Kibbutz Be'eri two years after Alon. He was a bright, passionate child, agile, smart and kind. He had a wonderful sense of humor. Even when engaged by something, he would have one ear listening to conversations taking place alongside him and utter witty responses that amazed everyone around. Ido loved soccer and played for the "Eshkol" soccer team. He was also an avid fan of Maccabi Tel Aviv. A year before his death, Ido celebrated a communal kibbutz bar mitzvah with his classmates and relished the event. Handsome and mischievous, he inherited his mother Rinat’s “lopsided” grin and love of life and simple joy in everything he did. The Even family home was warm and inviting. Chen took care of the children. They were the center of his universe and his pride and joy. Rinat took care of the whole world, always available, always compassionate. The Even family home was a center of support and love for the kibbutz. Humble, surrounded by friends, loving and loved by all. Tomer and Nir, an entire kibbutz stands with you together. Forever. Ido Even was 14 at the time of his death. May his memory be a blessing. Back 14.05.2009 - 07.10.2023 14 years old