Ohad Cohen

Three members of three generations of the Cohen family—grandmother, son, and granddaughter, Yona, Ohad, and Mila—each had different birthdays, but they all died on the same day, October 7, 2023.

Ohad was the third son of Yona and David, and a member of the Ela class. He was a sensitive and intelligent boy, easy to love. Modest and radiant like Yona. He enjoyed a range of sports—soccer, basketball, and tennis. He consistently strove to excel—but without being conspicuous or competitive. He had a special connection with his father, David; the two of them would go to sports events together. After completing high school at Ma'aleh Habesor, he enlisted and served in the armored corps. After his discharge he set off on a post-army trek in the Far East and Australia, part of it together with his brother Ido.

When he returned to the kibbutz, he worked in a varied range of fields. His love of music prompted him to train as a DJ and to found a company - Loud. One of the leading DJs in the south, Ohad provided music services for parties, clubs, and events. But after his father died, he could no longer enjoy parties, so he devoted himself to sports and fitness, and became adept at doing handstands. He said that he liked walking on his hands more than his feet. He excelled at this as well. Out of love for human beings, and with his characteristic generosity and dedication, he offered free workshops in this art, seeing it as a calling.

Alongside this, he worked at Be’eri Printers as a data editor, expanding his knowledge in the field of computers. In recent years he worked outside the kibbutz, managing the sales force project at Elad Software Systems. He created a training course and taught it to the staff. His final position was management of the sales force for Strauss. Ohad enjoyed and was proud of this experience outside the kibbutz.

He met his wife Sandra at one of his brother Itay’s basketball games. It was love at first sight, and the legend is that he immediately went to his sister to inquire about her. They married in 2013 and made their home on Be’eri, having three beloved children who filled their world. Family was, for Ohad, the highest value. After his siblings found work overseas, Ohad remained at the kibbutz and assumed responsibility for his mother.

On Shabbat morning, Ohad, Sandra, and their three children entered their secure room. Ohad fought to defend his family when Hamas terrorists tried to break through the door. His calls for help went unanswered. Sandra was severely wounded. Sons Liam and Dylan survived, but Mila and Ohad were murdered.

May his memory be blessed.

Prayer - Avraham Chalfi

I don’t know the words from which prayer is born.

All words are lost to my voice, have become a mute darkness.

But my eyes still see the spark in the eyes of a child, and my eyes still see:

A star of unmatched brilliance, and worried-faced mothers steering their small ones to the light.

What will be with them? What will be?

Listen to their breathing joy in the spring,

which seems as if it will never end.

I will bow before the role of God even if he has vanished from my eyes.

Do no wrong to the innocent,

they do not know why lightning strikes a fruit-bearing tree.

Do no wrong to the innocent.