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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

Mourning the victims of Kibbutz Be'eri Itzik Kozin Life Story Family and friends share their stories Itzik was born in Israel, shortly after its statehood. Like many Holocaust survivors, his parents, Genia and Moshe, never spoke about the life they lived before they came to Israel. Itzik’s brother-in-law shared what little information he had: Moshe, Itzik’s father, was a soldier in the Polish army, and spent most of the war fighting in the Russian army. He returned to Krementz, his hometown, after the war and discovered that his wife and son had perished, together with his own eight siblings. Only one sister remained – she had come to Palestine in 1936. Genia was born in Poland and during the war was in a labor camp with her three sisters. No one remembers the name of the camp. They met in the Poking Pine City displaced persons camp in Germany, where their first child, Pnina, was born. The young family arrived in Israel in 1948 and was sent to a ma'abara (temporary dwelling for olim ) near Hadera. Moshe was drafted to the IDF and fought in the battles of Latrun. A year or so after arriving in the ma'abara, Moshe, Genia, and Pnina moved in with relatives who lived in a house known as Beit Hashomer, amidst the orange groves near Kibbutz Na'an. It was there that Itzik was born. When he grew up, Itzik began his schooling in Na'an, where he discovered basketball. When he was eight years old, his mother died of cancer, and life took a turn. His father remarried eventually, and built his home in Ganei Hadar, near Beit Hashomer. Itzik was very close to his father and sister and kept up his ties with them over the years. His fond memories of Na'an led him back to kibbutz life. Itzik was sixteen when he joined the Aluma hakhshara and arrived in Be'eri in October 1966. The hakhshara did not arrive as a group, but as individuals whom Ze'ev Wexler, an educator, gathered from groups of the Noar Haoved V'halomed youth movement, and Ahuvale, who cared for the youngsters, was a mother figure for them. The young people came and went, and finally about 30-40 remained. They had morning classes four days a week, and the rest of the time was devoted to kibbutz work. Itzik began working with the field crops, and happily for him, driving a tractor did not require a license. The young people of the hakhsarah were a close group, and did not mingle with the kibbutz members. They lived in cabins by the clinic, worked in the kibbutz, and developed their own local color and experiences. Some 18 months after arriving in Be'eri, the group enlisted – all together – to Nahal. Itzik was selected to go to train as a squad commander and joined the paratroopers’ 50th battalion. Upon discharge from the military, only 10 Aluma members returned to Be'eri, among them Itzik and his good friend Haim Zohar. When Haim got married, Itzik became a significant part of the Zohar family, a full partner to family meals, celebrations, children, and grandchildren. He had the same relationship with many of his friends’ children. For years he was part of Shiri Lingwood’s household, and her son Tal says that Itzik was like a second father, a true close friend. Ella, Itzik’s only daughter, was born in 2009. She did not grow up in his home, but he loved her and was very proud of her. Itzik was a farmer, working with the field crops, until he was about 40 years old, when he decided it was time for a change. He moved to the printing house, where he began working on one machine, gradually gaining mastery of another until he reached retirement age. Retirement offered new paths: He worked at the bike shop in Be'eri, was Erez’s driver on day trips, and worked with Avivit in the nursery. Itzik was known as a sports lover, especially basketball and athletics. At the same time, he was interested in nature and history. He was a generous man, who always brought something to his hosts. He had many friends and a regular breakfast “parliament” in the communal dining room. He was a real character, who loved to complain about the situation. He had a phenomenal memory for local nostalgia, and he could be trusted to be privy to the most recent gossip. He had a talent to recall charming anecdotes about kibbutz members, past and present. Among friends he would take the liberty to mimic local figures and make a definitive comment on each one. There were also the occasional political arguments. Itzik would tease Udi Peled about his opinions – with which he actually identified. The two of them would smoke together, have a drink, their laughter ending with a strong cough. Despite his barbed words, there was not a mean bone in him, and his stories were full of humor and love of the people of his home – Be'eri. Itzik was murdered on Saturday, 7 October 2023. He was 72 years old. May his memory be a blessing. Back 07.03.1951 - 07.10.2023 72 years old

Mourning the victims of Kibbutz Be'eri Tair Bira Life Story Family and friends share their stories Tair, the eldest, was as an exceptionally bright child - "the genius of the family". It seemed as though she had inherited all of the talents. She was sensitive and realistic, she painted, wrote, sang, and taught herself guitar. She completed the full math matriculation exam, but chose to complete high school with a focus on the arts. She was a very gentle child who couldn’t harm a soul, the kind of person who asks for forgiveness even when it is others who need to ask forgiveness of her. A present big sister, she helped her siblings with their homework, advised and consulted with them, sought closeness, and sang karaoke on Fridays in the living room with Tahel. A sister who didn't cast a shadow, but rather spread light. It was good to walk in her light, and easy to hold it. When she finished high school, she decided to do a year of national service with Na'aleh (Youth Making Aliyah before Parents), and in this framework she worked at the Kaduri Youth Village where she was given the responsibility of helping new olim acclimate into their new home. The daughter of the new immigrant from Argentina became the bridge to Israeli culture for young men and women lacking language skills – planting new roots in them and serving as a big sister for them as well. It was a significant and transformative year - a year in which she discovered her abilities. In 2021, she enlisted in the army, serving as a non-commissioned classified weapons officer in the Tzrifin camp. She performed her duties with excellence, but upon completing her service, she longed to return home - not to a separate living unit in the kibbutz as her age entitled her to, but back home to Yahav and Tahel and her parents. Tahel at 16, and Tair at 23 were so very young at the time of their murder. They didn't have the chance to gather a long list of life experiences, to realize much of the great loves their overflowing hearts had hoped for. They stood on the brink, full of potential, and were taken away. Adolescence is characterized by the need to differentiate and distance oneself from parents in order to grow wings. It often comes with the distancing from parents and the slamming of doors. But that's not how the children of the Bira family behaved. Anyone close to the family knew of their special bond. They knew that each member of the family preferred to be with the others – family taking precedence over everything. Five people, and Poncho, their dog, who was a constant companion to the family for 12 years until he, too, was murdered — all intertwined with one another. They insisted on shared meals, shared trips, language, and an “internal” family language and humor. A family where each was for all and all for one. And one remains. Three months before the skies fell, Yasmin and Oron went to Portugal for a couples' vacation. Missing their children pushed them to act: they entered a local tattoo parlor and requested identical tattoos. When they emerged, they sent a photo to the kids: on their outstretched arms, the children could read their names engraved on their parents’ skin: Tair, Yahav, Tahel. On Friday, October 6, 2023, the family went out to dinner and a movie. Yahav's girlfriend joined them. When they parted, Yasmin and Oron went home with the two girls, while Yahav and his girlfriend headed to his apartment on the kibbutz. On Shabbat, at 10:58, the last sign of life was heard. Tair called Yahav from their safe room. Through the phone were heard screams, gunfire, silence, and then words in Arabic. Eleven days later, all of their bodies were found in the field next to the kibbutz. Rachel the poet wrote in a poem called "My Dead” about the living dead, the dead in whom death will never thrust its sharp knife. From a distance of years, she wrote: "In whom death's sharp knife has nothing left to kill. They alone are left me, they are with me still At the turn of highways, when the sun is low, They come round in silence, going where I go Ours is a true pact, a tie no time can sever. Only what I've lost is what I keep forever.” (Translation by A.Z. Foreman) Yahav has been left with an overwhelming legacy. May Tair’s memory be blessed. Back 28.12.2000 - 07.10.2023 22 years old

Mourning the victims of Kibbutz Be'eri Ma’ayana Hershkovitz Life Story Family and friends share their stories Ma’ayana was born in 1958 and raised in the Ein Hashlosha kibbutz, the daughter of Eli and Shoshana Karasanti, Israeli-born members of the kibbutz, and sister to Eli. Shoshana read the unique name in a story in which the heroine’s name was Ma’ayana – the well of the god. Ma’ayana lived and breathed art from childhood. Her mother was a painter and teacher of art, and her father dealt with sculpture. Over the years, her life always touched on creativity, and in the last years she dealt also with painting, drawing and ceramics. But her primary hobby for years was photography. She tended to photograph scenery, people, and mostly still life. In her youth, Ma’ayana dreamt of studying photography. However, as was customary in that period, she adapted herself to the needs of the kibbutz and studied physical exercise, a field in which she worked until the birth of her oldest daughter, Ella. When her second daughter, Amit, was born, the small family decided to begin a new life in Kibbutz Be’eri, in which Ma’ayana’s father, Eli, also lived. With the move to Be’eri, she joined the staff for infants and started dealing with management jobs: as the person in charge of infants, person in charge of informal education and others. At the age of 40, Ma’ayana studied for a bachelor’s and master’s degree in business administration and worked at the local council in a variety of organizational jobs, primarily in the field of education. Ma’ayana was energetic and always aspired to study and create. She loved documentary films, and, in the last years, she was involved in creative writing and planned to continue studies in producing and directing. Her artistic journeys moved from the Art Gallery in the kibbutz and extended to many museums throughout the world. She loved to return again and again to those places since she thought that “great paintings should be viewed more than once.” Noah and Ma’ayana met in 1975 in Kibbutz Kalia. Noah came with his group of friends and met Ma’ayana who joined the kibbutz for a year of service. Both were young, beautiful, chatterboxes, and full of life, and the fire of love burned between them from their first meeting – a nighttime swim on an off-limits beach at the Dead Sea. Several months later, Ma’ayana was drafted into the Communications Corps and was stationed in Jerusalem. Despite the distance, they continued to nurture their relationship, which was formalized at Kibbutz Ein Hashlosha in August 1978 following a nighttime telephone conversation in which Ma’ayana notified Noah that she had fulfilled her military service and that they were going to get married. Noah and Ma’ayana loved the kibbutz idea, and when they moved to Kibbutz Be’eri in 1986, they felt that they had found their home and called it a special piece of the Garden of Eden. The aspect of their relationship which supported them through the ups and downs of life over the years was their great love. In addition, they shared values and common areas of interest: their love of sports which led them to swim and ride together, love of art and culture, the world of classical music and Land of Israel songs, and the love of handicrafts in which they would combine their skills in the areas of carpentry and art, and almost always for someone else – the children, the grandchildren, nursery schools and the kibbutz school. In their warm home in Be’eri, in the “border patrol” neighborhood in which Tamir, their third child, was born, a tribe of friends of their age formed. In the common grassy areas in the heart of the neighborhood, children ran around freely and barefoot and felt at home in each of the houses in the neighborhood. Noah and Ma’ayana shared household tasks, and the friends who came in would partake of Noah’s orange cake or Ma’ayana’s wonderful cheesecake. But more than anything, Noah and Ma’ayana’s lives were dedicated to their children, Ella, Amit, and Tamir, and to their seven loving grandchildren: Amir, Daniel, Oz, Lavie, Ma’ayan, Raz, and Naomi. Noah would play with them and Ma’ayana would spend hours doing creative activities, telling stories and swimming with them in the kibbutz pool. Noah always emphasized to the children the value of a united family, and Ma’ayana was the strong woman who lived life fully and inspired them to flourish and grow. Noah and Ma’ayana were secular people who lived a life full of faith. Their faith was expressed in the respect that they felt for all people and their ability to respect and see the divine light in everyone. Back 28.02.1958 - 07.10.2023 65 years old

Mourning the victims of Kibbutz Be'eri Yona Fricker Life Story Family and friends share their stories Yona was born on August 4th, 1954 in Tel Aviv, to Yerachmiel and Rachel Tenenbaum, the elder sister to Aviva and Itzik. Yerachmiel was a Holocaust survivor from Poland, and Rachel immigrated from Romania. Rachel was a homemaker, while Yerachmiel made his living as a plumber and was a talented musician who played a number of instruments, and often included Yona in his performances. The family spent much time at the beach, close to where they lived in Jaffa. At home, Yona learned to love Israel. The grandmother, who lived with them, was religious, and they were observant and lit Shabbat candles at home. Yona accompanied her grandmother to synagogue, spoke Yiddish with her, and went with her to the Yiddish theater. When Yona was three years old, the family moved to Holon where she had a pleasant childhood. Every day the neighborhood children gathered for games and adventures. They loved digging bunkers and setting up tents, putting on shows for their parents and coming home late in the evening. Yona was also involved in the Scouts, loved reading and could be absorbed by a book, reading until dawn. When Yona was 12 and a half, misfortune befell the family. Aviva, her 8-year-old sister, was killed in an accident along with her best friend. Her parents never got over it, and the family fell apart. Her grandmother, who had been like a second mother to Yona, died a year later from cancer. At 14, Yona went to the “Ayanot” youth village boarding school. Two years later, she returned to her parents’ home, studied in an external program, and participated in drama and theater groups of the youth movement ‘HaNoar HaOved VeHaLomed’ . In 1972, Yona enlisted in the IDF as a lone soldier. She served as part of the ‘Shelach’ (‘Field, Nation, Society’) program in Kibbutz Be'eri, and met the man who was to become her first husband. Together they traveled to Switzerland, married, and Yona worked in a large Swiss bank. Four years later, they returned to Israel and joined Kibbutz Be'eri. In 1979 Aviv was born. She was named for Aviva, Yona’s sister. Two years later, Yona and her first husband divorced. A short time later, Yona and Ablum became a couple. In 1992, Sigal was born, followed by Stav a year later. Ablum was already the father of Shani, Gal and Niv. Yona also looked after Ablum’s children and he, in turn, was like a father to Aviv. The good bond between the family was kept up even when Yona and Ablum split. For the last 23 years, Yona enjoyed a special relationship, like a pair of doves, with Mordechai Naveh. Mordechai accepted Aviv, Sigal and Stav warmly. Yona loved his children and made a point of holding family events and festive meals. Yona worked in the accounting department and graphics at the printing house. Later she found her true place in the sewing workshop, where she worked for many years, even after retirement. She always loved to sew. She had a sewing machine at home and when Sigal and Stav were little she would sew them dresses and make a matching dress for herself, too. She continued to sew dresses for her granddaughters as well: Leah, Ori, Zohar and Lynne — Aviv’s daughters, and Tohar, Elinor and Sapir — Sigal’s daughters. The dresses she herself wore were the fruits of her own design and creation. She used to wear floral, colorful clothes, and loose, brightly-colored dresses, and unique shoes and boots, in a style unusual in the kibbutz landscape: she was very well put together, made up, blow-dried hair and coordinated dress, shoes and jewelry. Yona was an artist. She painted impressive oil paintings on canvas. These paintings decorated the walls of Ablum’s house. She also made jewelry and did beading. She loved cooking and baking. Her mille-feuille cake was the best in the world. Yona was gentle in speech and touch. She avoided quarrels and confrontations as much as possible, always meant well, and always had a smile lighting up her face. Yona was very family-oriented; she was a loving sister, generous and caring to her brother Itzik, and a loyal daughter to her mother when they lived in Jaffa. In her mother’s old age, she brought her to live beside her in Neot Be'eri. She was a devoted and attentive mother and grandmother, supportive and making sure that everyone had what they needed. Family was more important to her than any academic achievements. She told her daughters: “No matter what you do — the main thing is that you be a good person.” She was proud of each of her daughters and supported everything that they did. Her granddaughters who don’t live in Be'eri loved to come spend time with Grandma on the kibbutz, at the pool, at the petting zoo, in the dining room, to ride her golf cart with her. The granddaughters who live in Be'eri spent time with her at every opportunity. Yona loved her house, her family and the kibbutz. After meals in the dining room, she and Mordechai loved to sit in the smoking pavilion outside, with the coffee with foam that Yona meticulously prepared; there they sat and chatted with friends. On Wednesday, three days before the disaster, the whole extended family met on Yona’s porch: Mordechai, Ablum, Aviv with Asaf and the girls, Sigal with Andre and the girls, Stav with Roey, the new boyfriend whom Yona managed to meet and even wrote to Stav how lucky she was. Everyone enjoyed the peacefulness of the kibbutz, and the fun of being together as a family. On Saturday, the 7th of October, terrorists broke into Yona’s home. She held the door to the safe room so that they could not enter, and when she could not hold it any longer, she called Mordechai to help. Mordechai was murdered on his way to her. Ablum was also killed on that same day. Yona was thought to be missing for an entire month. She was 69 when she died. May her memory be a blessing. Back 04.08.1954 - 07.10.2023 69 years old

Mourning the victims of Kibbutz Be'eri Yuval Bar Life Story Family and friends share their stories Yuval was born in Nahalat Yehuda, on 22 March 1958, to Yechiel and Rachel Khubara, and he was brother to Arnon. His father, Yechiel, was born in Sana’a, Yemen, and Rachel was the daughter of Yemenite immigrants. When Yuval was three years old, the family moved to a public housing project in Holon, where he enjoyed his childhood. There, children would eagerly await four o’clock in the afternoon, when they were allowed to rush outdoors to play and roam around the neighbourhood. Children of all ethnicities played soccer together until dusk hid the ball from their sight. Yuval was a ‘numbers kid.’ When he returned from school, he would quickly eat and do his homework, then sit with his legs straddled in front of the wall, throwing a red plastic ball against it, and counting the throws – much to the neighbours’ annoyance. Once, he counted 777 throws. He was competitive and loved to win games, even in the throwing and counting game he played by himself. Yuval arrived at Kibbutz Be’eri just days before the outbreak of the Yom Kippur War, at the end of ninth grade. His was a difficult story; his parents had separated and, as a result, Yuval and Arnon were also separated from one another. Despite the upheaval, they managed to keep in touch throughout their lives. On the kibbutz, Yuval joined the group for "yaldei hutz" – or children who came to the kibbutz for a more stable environment - ‘Kitat Alon’ or the ‘Indians,’ as it was known locally. At that time, he grew his hair long, and his afro hairstyle became a thing. Despite his hippie appearance, he adapted well to his particularly proper adoptive family, Hassida and Buchsi. Surprisingly, he felt comfortable within the educational framework, and kibbutz life suited him. He especially loved music and performing and singing, and as a teenager he had a record collection that included albums by Kaveret , Neil Young, Dire Straits, and Pink Floyd. He was always listening to music. Later, when he sat in the office as an accountant, one could still tell he was there by the loud music coming from the office. Yuval was a sports enthusiast who loved all types of sports. He followed the NBA closely and was a sworn fan of local sports - swimming, soccer, basketball, tennis, ping pong, walking – you name it, and he made sure to report on events and competitions in the sports diary he wrote. Naturally, he drove his children to all the sports clubs they participated in and encouraged them to succeed. During his military service, he served in intelligence. When he returned to the kibbutz, he worked in agriculture until he went to pursue his studies. He would often take his children on the combine, the cotton picker, or the tractor. He was a very reliable father, and would also resolve any issues wisely. He was a family man who also took an interest in history. He researched in depth the history of Maayan’s family in Hungary, and his own family’s history in Yemen and in Israel. Yuval was a diligent and enthusiastic worker. He worked seven days a week in the kibbutz’s accounting department, but that was not enough for him. Over the last 15 years, he initiated and managed Yuval’s Recycling Project, which became the official recycling project of Kibbutz Be’eri. It started with Yuval on the green tractor, organizing bins for waste-sorting. It continued with the washing of the green bins. Then he continued, putting in place different coloured bins for different types of waste, bins for glass and cardboard. He then began teaching kibbutz members to separate organic waste, which he transported to the area of the old dairy, and then used it to create compost, which was distributed at the bin stations for reuse in members’ gardens. At first, he did this alone, then he inspired the younger generation to join him – youngsters from the kibbutz, and those from other kibbutzim who were working for a period in Be’eri. Dealing with bins was not just an ideology and a personal mission for Yuval, and it has already set an example for other settlements too – how a single individual managed to reduce the number of waste hauls from 101 containers to only 7. Meanwhile, Yuval developed what he called ‘the kingdom’ – the collection of junk dumped at the bin stations – mattresses, toys, books, old ovens, machine parts. These were arranged according to the old and abandoned model of ‘the junkyard,’ which had once been the favourite corner of the yard in every kindergarten in the kibbutz – until the Ministry of Education banned it for safety and insurance reasons. In Yuval’s kingdom, the junkyard was reborn, and in the afternoons, the place buzzed with children and parents. Yuval was decades ahead of the State of Israel. The romance between Ma'ayan and Yuval began in Be’eri, where they studied in parallel classes - Ma'ayan in ‘Rotem ’, and Yuval in ‘Alon ,’ where Tamar was the housemother. Yuval’s adoptive parents were close friends of Tamar and Asaf. But it was only after their discharge from the army that the love between Ma'ayan and Yuval blossomed, when they were both living in the young adults’ neighbourhood. Ma'ayan’s cat climbed a tree and was afraid to come down. Yuval, who was an expert at climbing trees, came to her rescue – and ever since, all members of the family are cat lovers. At their wedding, Ma'ayan was in her eighth month of pregnancy and wore a huge wedding dress. She was focused on creating a warm and cozy home, and on food and baking. Yuval took care of technical and financial matters, while she encouraged going out to have fun. He provided research and depth, and was involved in recycling. She liked to shop. Out of their differences, they wove a complete world together, and countless fine threads bound them together in a close relationship. Both Ma'ayan and Yuval loved to travel, in Israel and abroad. They especially loved Greece and the Greek islands. But they were the ultimate ‘kibbutzniks .’ They never left, nor even considered leaving Be’eri, despite the frequent rocket attacks and the military operations in response – whether they were limited or more major, and not even whenever the security situation escalated. It was their home, the safest place in the world. Their love for Be’eri was great, but even greater was their love for each other, and it defined them in life and in death. On Saturday, October 7th, they died together. Their memory will be carried by their children, their grandchildren, and by all of us. May their memory be blessed. Back 22.03.1958 - 07.10.2023 65 years old

Mourning the victims of Kibbutz Be'eri Shmulik Weiss Life Story Family and friends share their stories Shmulik’s father immigrated to Israel from Romania, after most of his extended family perished in the Holocaust. Shmulik grew up in a modest home. From a young age he showed a keen interest in cars and other motorized vehicles. He and his friend Shlomo had driven mopeds until Shmulik’s moped was stolen, much to his parents’ relief. Shmulik enlisted in the Nahal paratroopers (his commander was Benny Gantz) and joined the ‘Chai-Ad’ Nahal unit, which settled in Kibbutz Gilgal in the Jordan Valley. It was there that he met Yehudit. They became a couple, married and had their eldest daughter, Hagar. When Hagar was about one year old, Shmulik and Yehudit left Gilgal and moved to Kibbutz Erez, in the northern Negev region of Sha’ar Hanegev. During this period, Asaf was born, and the family was joined by Avishai, Yehudit’s younger brother. Shmulik worked in the fields with the grain crops, but his dream was to work in the garage as a car mechanic. Kibbutz Erez didn’t respond positively to his requests for a transfer, and Shmulik being Shmulik, stubborn, decisive, and very practical, decided to leave. Yehudit was a kindergarten teacher, a highly sought after profession in the kibbutzim, and the family moved to Kibbutz Be’eri. After living on Be’eri for two years as hired employees, they became kibbutz members. As the years went by, Omer, Daniel and Ohad were born. In Be’eri Shmulik’s dream came true, and for many years he worked in and managed the kibbutz garage. He loved his work and was always prepared to drop everything whenever someone needed a repair, or help with anything to do with cars. He instilled his passion for all motor vehicles in his children. When they were young, he put them on quadbikes, then on buggies, and eventually they drove jeeps. Shmulik loved taking things apart and reassembling them, welding, cutting and painting them, and taught his children to do the same. He was a collector of old vehicles that he dreamt of renovating one day when he retired. Shmulik’s scrap heap of old cars was his treasure, and no-one was allowed to touch it. Shmulik was highly inquisitive and enjoyed researching and investigating things. He had many hobbies and pursuits. There was always music playing at full volume in Shmulik and Yehudit’s home. Though he had wanted to learn, he didn’t play any instruments himself, but he collected musical instruments and invested in the most sophisticated audio systems available. There was a piano and other musical instruments in the house, and all of the children were very musical. Shmulik dared to dream, and even if those dreams did not always come true, they did move something in the universe, created fertile ground for things to happen. Often, it was his children who made his dreams turn into reality. He bought a guitar because he wanted to learn to play - and then Asaf started to play it, and Daniel followed on. This was the way many other things started too, like soldering jewelry, baking yeast dough, and making pizza. He had recently wanted to start woodcarving. He was also an excellent photographer, and always had sophisticated photographic equipment. He had a good eye, and quickly became the chief family photographer, so trips are remembered by everyone through Shmulik’s eyes. Shmulik and Yehudit loved the theatre. They had season tickets to the Cameri, Habima and Beit Lessin theatres, and every two to three weeks they went to a play and spent time with friends. When the play was good, they would later buy tickets for the whole family. Shmulik had a huge heart. He was funny, sociable, loved people and animals, loved by everyone who met him, from the very first moment. He was always ready to help, to lend a hand, to volunteer for any task at any time of day or night. Shmulik never said “no”. He never hurt anyone, never raised his voice, knew how to speak eye-to-eye with everyone and did everything to make sure that everyone around him was happy. This was also how he educated his children, to be good people, without many words. Shmulik loved people and knew how to cultivate relationships with family and friends, including friends from his schooldays. He was the “glue” that held people together. The couple belonged to several groups who traveled together on trips within Israel and abroad. The friendships and togetherness were more important to him than the trips themselves. In his youth he went hiking, and then toured the countryside on his quadbike and Jeep. He loved tackling the terrain. In recent years he joined cycling trips in Israel and abroad and had participated with his group of friends in bicycle trips along the Danube and the Rhine. Shmulik was a father and grandfather who was exceptionally involved in the lives of his family. Shmulik and Yehudit were blessed with five grandchildren: Amit, Hadar, Hoshen, Aviv and Kfir. He connected with his grandchildren through their shared activities – playing on the swings, jeep rides, taking them for walks in their strollers until they fell asleep. Yehudit and Shmulik were very much present in their family’s lives, playing central roles, always there to help, offer support and advice on every matter. Shmulik was also a devoted caregiver for his mother, driving her wherever she needed and taking care of her with endless patience. Shmulik and Yehudit’s relationship was full of love, appreciation, respect and acceptance. Shmulik loved to buy her gifts and jewelry - and was as tenderhearted as he was stubborn. Their relationship is an inspiration. They did everything together; it was impossible to separate them. They joined forces to help every friend and family member whenever they were in difficulty, with exceptional dedication. They were a “unit of giving”. Their home was always full of people they took under their wings, warmly and generously – kibbutz employees, female soldiers and others. Shmulik was a “mensch”, honest and direct to the extreme. Authentic, with nothing fake about him. Everyone knew that with Shmulik there was no posturing or pretense. He also didn’t tolerate dishonesty in other people, but if he encountered it, he walked away, without confronting or hurting anyone; he respected everyone. He wasn’t a big talker. He listened without interrupting, without interfering, just listening. He expressed his passions and his personality through movement, short, focused questions and mainly through action. Shmulik was a kibbutznik through and through, and a Zionist in every bone in his body. He believed in settling the land and he believed in the Land of Israel. Shmulik loved Israel, he loved Be’eri, and was murdered while fighting for Be’eri. Be’eri loved and still loves Shmulik in return. May his memory be a blessing. Back 05.11.1957 - 07.10.2023 65 years old

Mourning the victims of Kibbutz Be'eri Rotem Calderon Life Story Family and friends share their stories Rotem Calderon was born on October 14, 1956, in Kibbutz Be'eri to Leah Lili Leicha née Elazar, who immigrated to Israel from Bulgaria, and Michael Goodrich - later Gadish – who immigrated to Israel from England. Her mother was both a farmer and a seamstress, and her father taught physical education. Leah never got to know her older brother Ilan, who died from an illness at the age of six. Yet Leah maintained a close, loving relationship with her two older brothers Yuval and Raviv for her entire life. From childhood, Rotem knew how to be both the little sister who never hesitated to take on the role of the big one when needed, as well as knowing how to fill the house with free-flowing, fun, bubbling, contagious laughter. Rotem grew up in the "Gefen '' group on the kibbutz. A sports-lover and a swimmer, Rotem was very popular in the Gefen’s group of nine girls, and some remained close friends for life. Rotem served in the Israeli Army in Sharm al Sheikh. When she returned to the kibbutz, she met the man who would become the father of her children, Moshe"Caldi" Calderon. This meeting has a mythological version: Caldi, a charismatic young man, arrives at the kibbutz with his cohorts from Bat Yam, spots the beautiful girl from the kibbutz in a checkered flannel shirt with long hair down to her buttocks, and declares, “This shirt will be mine.” And Rotem, in true form, confidently follows her heart, opting to share her life with the distinctive, talented city boy leading the way. Soon after they wed, their oldest son Adam was born, followed by Omer’s arrival two-and-a-half years later. Even as a young mother with two toddlers, Rotem managed to advance her career by studying Physical Education far from home in Seminar Hakibbutzim in Tel Aviv, returning to Be'eri only on weekends for a long period. Upon completing her studies, Rotem worked as a well-loved teacher at the Ma’ale Basor High School where Caldi also taught. At the birth of their daughter Mika, Rotem nurtured her small, close-knit family, a lioness of a mother who spoke of her children with sparkling eyes and boundless love. In 2005, tragedy struck: Caldi was killed in a motorcycle accident, at the age of just 49. The kibbutz members enveloped Rotem with support during her deep mourning. Gradually, she mustered the strength to redirect her life to achieve another dream: to live for a time in the big city of Tel Aviv. Alone. Like the best of Tel Aviv’s young women, Rotem rented an apartment with a roommate and pored over want ads for job openings. At the start, she found a job as a clerk in a law firm, a position she left in favor of working in a neighborhood coffee shop and a clothing store in Neve Tzedek, jobs that brought her closer to the throbbing pulse of the city and its people. Two years later, when she returned to the kibbutz, Rotem became the preschool director before working in the kibbutz secretariat. At retirement, Rotem was drawn to volunteer at The Negev’s Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Support Center, as well as the "No Soldier Left Behind” therapeutic rehabilitation community for PTSD victims in the Gaza vicinity. These two specific centers were ideal for Rotem’s unrivaled expertise: interpersonal communication. Rotem was the grandmaster of listening to others, able to not only look, but see. When you spoke to her, you felt you were the most important thing in the universe. And when she spoke, she always said what she thought. Apparently, this characteristic – her captivating honesty – helped so many to bare their hearts to her and to support her. Rotem was a passionate mother to Adam and Omer and Mika, a wondrous grandmother to Aviv, Gal and Bar, and a beloved and loving persona to Mika and Roi, her children's spouses. She was also a youthful 66-year-old woman who knew how to set out on life adventures that others could not imagine. Rotem was a people-person who also knew how to enjoy going to the movies alone. She was efficient, creative, productive -- the one to depend on to arrange great trips for her circle of friends. But Rotem also knew how to enjoy a walk, or just sit and talk with her children, or watch TV together in pajamas. She was an extremely sensitive person, yet also a rock of stability for so very many. When Adam and Mika, both creative cinema people, shared their wish to shoot a film on the kibbutz, Rotem recruited all her friends for the mission of transforming the kibbutz into a film location. As she turned her own home into the bustling production center, she did it as Rotem – with total ease. In her hands, this production looked like the most natural, simple task ever. Rotem was a champion of minimalism in life, with her heart as her guiding star to clearly direct the way. She was the friend you want at your side in crises and in joyous times, the grandmother who enjoyed giving parents a little break from the kids, and the grandmother to run to when your parents annoy you. She never pushed or became involved without being asked, but she was always there. All who needed her knew easily how to find her. Over the last three years, Rotem found new, beautiful love with Baruch, a native of Hatzor. Baruch’s children immediately fell in love with Rotem as well, quickly realizing her greatness. They also called her a lioness. On Saturday, October7, Rotem was alone at home. Although she spent most of her weekends with Baruch, this time, to celebrate the kibbutz holiday, she decided to remain in Be'eri. From her WhatsApp messages, it is known that she struggled for hours to keep the door of her bomb shelter locked. It is known that the terrorists shot her in the hand. Afterwards, her cellphone battery went dead. When the rescue squad reached her house many hours later, Rotem was not to be found. For many long days, she was thought to have been kidnapped, until her lifeless body was finally located. Rotem Calderon was a woman who could light up the darkness with her smile. She was the woman you would want to introduce to the entire world. A woman whose wise eye and listening ear held the power to strengthen and heal. Responsible and practical, free and brave. A woman the entire world so desperately needs. May her memory be blessed Back 14.10.1956 - 07.10.2023 67 years old