In the year following the devastating Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, hundreds of bereaved Israeli families have chosen to honor their fallen loved ones through impactful projects that are already making a significant difference in Israeli society. From mobile pizza ovens for soldiers to ambulances and photography exhibitions, these initiatives serve as living memorials to those who lost their lives.
There are many ways to commemorate those who fell and were murdered for their faith, but one method stands out: not through a physical memorial but by carrying on the spirit and legacy of the deceased. Thousands of non-profit organizations, volunteer groups, and charity runs have been established in recent decades to remember Israel's fallen soldiers and victims of attacks. Dozens more have joined this list following October 7 and the Swords of Iron War. These touching initiatives have already significantly impacted Israeli society as a whole.
Maya Puder, 26, who grew up in the town of Shimshit, was killed by Hamas attackers on Saturday, October 7, at the NOVA music festival near Reim. Since the tragedy, her mother, Ayala, has stopped working as an interior designer and dedicated herself entirely to helping families whose loved ones were killed at Nova. "I'm at the Knesset at least once a week. I'm in contact with Lahav 433 (similar to the FBI) as part of my activities in the association we established, the 'Children of Light' association, which works for commemoration, rights advocacy, and relevant legislation in the Knesset, as well as commemoration and awareness activities around the world," she shared.
Aviv Baram was killed on October 7 when he went out with the emergency squad to defend his home in Kfar Aza. His close friends decided to commemorate him in a unique and moving way. "We want to bring joy and love to IDF soldiers who are in remote places, who don't see home for weeks, and who guard us in outposts. We want to share Aviv's love for hosting and pampering. So we decided to set up a mobile tabun oven for making Neapolitan pizza that will travel with us to soldiers in outposts, and call it 'Aviv's Pizza,'" they shared.
First Sergeant Guy Simhi, a soldier in the Paratroopers reconnaissance unit, fell in Kibbutz Reim while fighting attackers barehanded on October 7. He was twenty years old. The soldier's family launched a fundraising campaign to establish the "Hero of Israel, My Brother" association, which plans to hold unity and leadership activities. "We set ourselves a clear goal, to commemorate his life and legacy through his most prominent trait – leadership," his loved ones shared.
Captain Alina Pravosudova, 23, was an officer at the Urim base who fought and fell in battle against Hamas attackers in the October 7 assault. "We want to donate a Magen David Adom ambulance in her name so that she will continue to save lives even after her death," her family announced with noble spirit.
Sergeant Lavi Lipshitz, a soldier in the Givati reconnaissance unit, fell in battle in northern Gaza on October 31. He was twenty years old. Lavi was a sensitive and talented photographer who used to upload a photo from his military service to his Instagram account every day. His family decided to commemorate him through his art and presented an exhibition titled "Till When – Photo Diary 2023" at the Eretz Israel Museum featuring all his photographs.
