Ohad Cohen Life Story 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. Back 10.06.1980 - 07.10.2023 43 years old

Lianne Sharabi Life Story Lianne was born in February 1975, in the bedroom of Gill and Pete Brisley. She was the third child, after Neil and Ian. Steve was born after her. In her youth, the two older brothers had already left home to study. Lianne and Steve grew up together and were good friends. Over the years, the siblings were scattered across the globe. Neil in Canada, Ian in Tenerife, Lianne in Israel. Steve remains close to his parents in Bristol, and today in Wales. Throughout the years, Lianne kept in touch with all the family members. They often visited each other. Christmas was the holiday when the family would reunite, and Lianne traveled there with the family every year, except during the Corona period. Lianne studied at Mangotsfield School and excelled especially in music. In her teenage years, she found herself various jobs: a vegetable store, an old people's home, and helping young people with disabilities. After she finished her studies, she worked for a short time in a law firm, then she decided to travel the world. Lianne went with her brother to France, found a job and traveled there for about three months. In April 1995 she turned 20, and she decided to try the kibbutz experience. She contacted an office in London that recruited volunteers for kibbutzim. A group of ten volunteers was formed, who met for the first time at the airport. With them she came to Be’eri. The plan was to stay there for three months. But Lianne would stay a little, actually a lot, longer. "I met Eli after several months, and I stayed for him, because of him," she said on the show "Excuse me for asking" on local television. Lianne returned to England, but after a few weeks Eli knocked on her door and proposed to her. In July 2000, Eli and Lianne got married in a modest ceremony in Bristol. Two weeks later, they celebrated their wedding at a party in Be’eri. The parents accepted the new situation, according to her "because you don't argue with a girl in love". But there was longing. For the family, the language, the humor, the English mentality, the sense of belonging, the beer. Lianne made sure to come home to England once or twice a year. Still, Be’eri became her home. Lianne's first job was at the grocery store. She was amazing with her diligence, the dexterity of her fingers on the register, and the way she remembered everything about everyone. It wasn't long before she was recruited to the printing press, where she worked for 22 years - at first in the ticket/card department, then in accounting. When the girls grew up, she allowed herself to go to school, and worked with the dentist in the treatment room and managing appointments, funny and laughing at everything. Especially at her voluntary exile in a Middle Eastern country plagued by irresponsible politicians. Lianne was an honorary member of the local Anglos, a large group of volunteers who found their homes in the kibbutz. Together they had shared meals without the natives, their partners. Occasionally, Lianne could be coaxed onstage to play the saxophone or sing from the bottom of her heart. In 2007 Noya was born, and Yahel three years after that. The girls were the center of Lianne's universe. She took care of them with devotion and protected them like a lioness. It goes without saying that she didn't forget to laugh at them from time to time, because "why would you have girls if you can't laugh at them". The girls were blessed with a special mix of Yemeni-European beauty, and Lianne made sure to educate them in the spirit of the United Kingdom, including manners and courtesy. Homework was mandatory. Lianne, Noya and Yahel were murdered on Saturday morning, October 7, 2023. May her memory be blessed. Back 20.2.1975 - 07.10.2023 48 years old

Avia Hetzroni Life Story Avia was born on Kibbutz Be’eri on 13th August 1954, the son of Margalit and Yair, two founding members of the kibbutz. Yair worked in the printing press and was the mythical operator of the linotype machine, while Margalit worked in the sewing room and the warehouse. Avia was born after Ayala and Nitza and was followed by Efrat. He was raised in the children’s house, in Gan Kalanit and afterwards in the Kitat Tzabar. He was a pleasant and sociable boy, happy and loved. Before the army, he met Eva, who had come to Kibbutz Be’eri with her friend. It was love at first sight and continued to the end of their lives. Avia turned 18 at the start of twelfth grade, and was called up for the army. Alongside members of the Shibolim class, he was placed in the Mechanized and Armored Infantry Brigade. There he got the nickname “Abuya,” which remained with him afterwards. In the Yom Kippur War, he was a regular soldier in the ‘Television’ Stronghold, which was in the central sector, 10 kilometers from the Suez Canal. Many of his friends were killed in these defensive battles. Abuya didn’t forget, and two years ago, he and his friends from the company built a monument in their memory. Together they planted the “Avenue of Friendship” – a row of trees along the route leading to Coral and the Be’eri Badlands. After the army, Avia and Eva travelled to England, and lived in a London suburb not far from Eva’s family, where Shira was born. After several years they returned to the kibbutz. Shira joined the Tzivoni class. Avia and Eva worked in the printing press, Eva as the English-speaking secretary, Avia in the licensing project, as station manager in Tel Aviv. Concurrently, he volunteered as a local ambulance driver. From 1981, Avia devoted himself to volunteering at MADA, the Israeli Red Cross, at their station in Netivot. In addition to his role as a senior medic, he managed the station’s relations with different donors. He received widespread praise for his professional knowledge, resourcefulness, diligence, and his special ability to work with disabled persons and to give them a feeling of security. At the MADA station he made sure to nurture the youth volunteers and occasionally helped youth in distress financially. On the kibbutz he was part of the clinic team, and the team that managed Be’eri’s nursing home. Kibbutz members approached him with matters big and small; he gave lifesaving first-aid treatment, drove people to hospital, and once even acted as a midwife. Friends knew that during times of trouble, they should call Abuya. It became a kibbutz joke that if the first face you wake up to is Abuya, it’s a sign that you’re alive, but barely. He knew the medical history of the extended family and knew to brief the emergency room about the patient he was bringing. Avia loved the kibbutz life and felt a strong sense of belonging to his friends and the community; he knew the babies and the children and followed their progress. In the dining room he would pass between the tables, giving pats and hugs, and when he had time, he also joined the local ‘parliament.’ In 2010, his daughter Shira married and returned with her partner to Israel. There they had sweet and healthy twins: Liel and Yanai. But a tragic error in the hospital’s conduct left Shira brain damaged. From then on, Avia devoted all his energy to the effort to rehabilitate Shira. The entire Hetzroni family joined the effort: Avia’s sister Ayala took the twins home, Avia came every day, and in this way, they together created a family model. His other sisters, Nitza and Efrat, helped as much as they could, and each partner and cousin and their children helped, each in their own way. Eight years ago, Nitza passed away following a difficult illness. Seven years ago, Eva also died. Avia doubled and tripled his efforts to care for the children. He had a special connection with them – something between a father and a grandfather, a friend, and a brother. He was brutally murdered on October 7, aged 69. May his memory be a blessing. Back 13.08.1954 - 07.10.2023 69 years old

Yitzhak Siton Life Story Yitzhak, known affectionately as Zizi among his family and close friends, was born in Cairo, Egypt, as the eldest son of James and Rosie Siton. At a young age, he moved with his parents to Israel, where his sister Amalia was born. He attended elementary school at Komemiyut School in Bnei Brak until sixth grade. When the family relocated to Ramat Gan, he transferred to Yahalom School and later continued to Ort Vocational High School. Yitzhak enlisted in the IDF in 1966, serving in the Armored Corps. He fought in the Six-Day War and the subsequent War of Attrition. After his release, he began working at "Amca," where he worked for ten years and later married Hannah. He fought in the Yom Kippur War as a tank commander, when their eldest children, Lior and Tal, were born. Later, he worked at the first international bank for three years, during which their younger children, Noa and Ran, were born. In 1985, Yitzhak began his career in the diamond industry. In the early years, he specialized in polishing and planning rough diamonds; he was also a partner in a diamond purchasing and processing company. In 2001, he moved to South Africa and served as a production manager for several diamond companies. After nine years there, he moved to Namibia and became the operations manager for several diamond polishing companies. Yitzhak was a hardworking man, dedicated to his job; even at the age of 77, he continued to work diligently in a significant and meaningful position. His colleagues saw him not only as a professional mentor but also as a true father figure and a genuine friend, instilling values of closeness, caring, gracefulness, and constant mutual respect. There was no one who worked with him and did not appreciate him both professionally and personally. In the years he lived and worked abroad, his unique nature required the calmness and rhythm of Africa. He was a simple man who spoke little and loved seemingly simple things: health, sunlight, coffee by the sea, a bed to sleep in, a shower, and something to eat. Above all, he loved his children, his wife, and his extended family. On the joyous evening of Simchat Torah, Yitzhak, Hannah, and their son Tal, visiting with Pessi, his sister-in-law, and her children, were together at Kibbutz Be'eri. The extended family gathered for their usual Friday dinner, dancing and singing together in the family dining room. The next day, on Saturday, the 7th of October, at 6:30 in the morning, as the sirens blared, everyone rushed to the safe room. According to testimonies, Yitzhak was shot and killed on the spot while blocking the door of the safe room with his body against the cursed terrorists, along with Tal, as they protected his wife Hannah and his sister-in-law Pessi. The connection was severed around midday. It later became known that the terrorists rounded up additional people from neighboring houses. For hours, a battle ensued between a large group of terrorists and security forces and the IDF. Towards the evening, tank shells were fired towards the house. Out of 14 residents of the settlement, two women survived to tell the tale of the last moments. Throughout his years abroad, Yitzhak maintained a strong and constant connection with home. His children were a source of endless pride for him. He always loved to remind them that they were perfect in his eyes, and they saw him as the best person in the world: straight as an arrow, honest, loving, with an open and astute mind, a wide heart, and an infinite capacity for giving. He was a man to whom everyone was drawn and wanted to be around, especially the children, with whom he used to fool around - they were his source of energy, and through them, he was a child at heart. In his life and in his death, he was a fighter, a precious and loving man. He was 77 years old at his death. May his memory be blessed Back 12.06.1947 - 07.10.2023 76 years old (Pesi Cohen's brother-in-law)

Carmel Bachar Life Story Carmel was born on January 4, 2008, the third son following Rotem and Nofar, and older brother to Hadar. Dana and Avida were experienced parents by then, enough to see that Carmel had been blessed with an inner calm. He never cried or made demands, therefore it was important not to overlook him. From a young age, he was self-sufficient, hardworking, and helpful wherever needed. When asked for assistance, he would always say "no problem", and it was safe to assume the job would be done. In his workman's clothes and Redback boots, Carmel took everything easy, and whenever a problem arose, he simply did all that was necessary to solve it. He was a handsome, charismatic child who knew how to have fun and enjoy life; like his parents, he was full of love and surrounded himself with friends. Carmel chose Arabic as his high-school elective, and learned to speak it. He was fond of TikTok and liked listening to rap music at the gym, as well as standup comedy by Yonatan Barak. Carmel was the natural leader of the Moran class, joined the bar mitzvah team in the Shaldag class, and started this year in the Lilach class. In addition to being a responsible young man, Carmel was adventurous and curious. He liked wandering the streets of the kibbutz with his cousin Lotem as well as with Yuval, Lotan, and Tomer. They knew every nook and cranny of the kibbutz and even raided some food from the dining hall one night. No wonder Avida nicknamed them The Tricksters. Avida taught Carmel how to work a barbecue, and all Carmel's friends knew he had steaks and was always happy to cook them a meal. Carmel loved the sea. He began surfing at age eight and loved the waves ever since. He surfed with siblings Nofar and Hadar and their cousins, knew and followed all the professional surfers on social media, and had planned to take a surfing course in Sri Lanka this winter. The Bachars are a loving, warm, tight-knit, strong, and optimistic family. Dana and Carmel had a special close relationship. It was only out of respect for Carmel that Dana agreed to forgo her tradition and agreed to kiss him only twice a day: morning and night. On that Sabbat morning, when they learned that terrorists had infiltrated Be'eri, Carmel quickly collected four butcher knives from the kitchen and placed them on the couch, saying to his father: "Don't worry Dad, we have four knives here. We will kill them." The brave boy was gravely wounded. The hours passed, the rescue teams were late, and Carmel bled out next to his mother. With his last breaths, he asked his sister Hadar to be buried with his surfboard. He was 15 when he died. May his memory be blessed. Back 04.01.2008 - 07.10.2023 15 years old

Geula Bachar Life Story Geula was born in 1942 at the Dajani Hospital in Jaffa, to parents who themselves were Israel-born. She lived in Givatayim until the 8th grade, when her family moved to Herzliya. Her mother was a homemaker, her father, a construction worker, and Geula was the third of six children. Her relationship with her siblings was especially close. In her early childhood, fear and hardship would drive her to the bed of her older sister Etti, to find solace. Geula was quite an athletic child who loved to play soccer and was the fastest 60-meter sprinter at her school. Despite her cleverness and love of learning, she only completed 8thgrade, then moved on to help feed the family by working at a rope factory. At 18, she joined the Nahal Brigade in the IDF as part of the "B'nei Yitzhak" group. The group spent part of their service working on Kibbutz Shluhot, and that was where Geula met Yitzhak. Geula and Yitzhak's relationship was beautiful, loyal, and devoted. Their deep love helped them through life's tribulations. Geula used to tell her family that for her first birthday that was spent with Yitzhak, he bought her a mixer, and she in turn, gave him an electric kettle for his birthday six months later. In 1963, Yitzhak and Geula married at the Tel Aviv Rabbinate and started a family. First, they lived in Rehovot, where they had Yossi and Rivka. In December 1965, they followed Yitzhak's brother Chico to Kibbutz Be'eri. There, Tami, Naomi, Oved, and Meirav were born. Geula worked in the kindergarten at first, then held jobs in gardening and at the chicken hatchery, but most of her years she spent caring for seniors. She had a deep sense of professional dedication and studied geriatrics to be better qualified for what she saw as sacred work. Her sons, daughters, and grandchildren were the center of her life and a source of pride for her. In 1992, Geula's daughter Naomi suddenly passed away at just 22. Her death broke Geula's soul, and she sought strength to carry on living. She found it in her first grandson Dagan, born three months before Naomi's passing, and in the rest of her family. Over the years, Geula had 21 biological grandchildren and another 4 who became her own as well. Her heart and home were always open to her children and grandkids, who visited often. She had a unique relationship with each. Geula hated cooking. Her grandchildren enjoyed such easy-to-make treats as grilled cheese sandwiches, a special salad on Shabbat, and her famous cheesecakes – she was especially delighted when these were devoured within the day. Geula loved Kibbutz Be'eri; it was her home in every sense of the word. Like her, her children also made their homes in Be'eri. May her memory be blessed. Back 10.10.1942 - 07.10.2023 80 years old

Dr. Daniel Levi Ludmir Life Story 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)

Ayala (Aylus) Hetzroni Life Story Ayala was born when Kibbutz Be’eri was young, the first child of Yair and Margalit, two founding members of the kibbutz. She was a baby girl with brown doe eyes, and a shy smile. Afterwards came Nitza, Avia, and Efrat, who grew to become a warm and close-knit family whose roots were planted deeply in the earth of Be’eri. When Ayala and her friends started school the name of their class was “Arava.” She received the nickname “Aylus” from her classmates, and it stayed with her afterwards. Her friends say she was a shy and quiet girl, who did everything thoroughly and helped without talking much. As was common during those times, she did her bit for local agriculture, in cotton weeding, and picking fruit in the orchard and the groves, but she quickly found her place as a nanny in the children’s home, when she worked for many years. This is where her special talent of forming a connection and a relationship with children of all ages came into play. She did her IDF service with several kibbutz friends – Dalia and Tzipi – which made adapting to the army much easier. This was the first time that the people from Be’eri met the city folk, who weren’t used to communal showers. Aylus was placed in the IAF and dealt with electronic soldering. Sagi remembers her demonstrating manual soldering, an action that requires fine motor skills, and she was proud of the fact that in the army she used to fix the “spoke of the plane” (in her words) that way. As was then common, Aylus did a third year of national service at the young Kibbutz Eilot, which was then only 10 years old, and naturally became a nanny at the children’s home, which took her name: Gan Ayala. When she returned to Be’eri, she was a leading nanny in Oranim and Ofarim, and afterwards she worked for years with Yochai in Arazim. She could be seen throughout the kibbutz, pausing with the toddlers at every snail and puddle. She was a special and beloved nanny, who taught the children “to shout in a whisper,” and she continued to educate the mothers years after their children had moved on to other frameworks. Aylus spent a year in Tel Aviv, where she studied education at Kibbutzim College, and she also travelled for a year to work as an au pair in the United States, but her natural place was in the kibbutz kindergarten. When she returned, she became a leading nanny in Gan Hatzav, in the era of the children’s home. Ayala was the nanny of the early childhood age groups, and at a certain stage she also agreed to be the kindergarten coordinator. For the Shifronis, her sister Nitza's kids, Aylus was like a second mother, the one they called when they returned from a long journey outside the kibbutz and who they traveled with on the bus to “the big store” in Yad Mordechai to choose birthday presents. Twenty years ago, she decided to work in the printing press. There she worked in the PAC department – Production Activity Coordination. During this period, it suited her to be in the world of adults and to work efficiently with her characteristic quiet. But then a family tragedy shook her world: Her niece Shira, Avia’s daughter, gave birth to twins – Liel and Yanai – but medical negligence left her brain damaged, and it became clear that she couldn’t care for the children. The whole family joined forces to cope in the long-term: Avia and Eva cared for their daughter Shira, and Ayala took upon herself the raising of the children. Fate transformed Aylus, aged 61, into a full-time mother to infant twins. Nitza called the twins “nechyanim ” – a portmanteau of grandchildren and nephews, and Aylus “savdoda ,” a combination of grandmother and aunt. Grandpa Avia would sit every afternoon with the scooter, ready for every command. Friends also took turns to help. But Ayala was the central figure in the life of the twins; later she was legally appointed guardian and became “Mama” to Liel and Yanai. Aylus was an anchor and a beacon to her family, a model of dedication and responsibility, inclusive and giving of herself with love and without complaint. Raising the children was her life’s purpose, with endless patience and with her special love. She also had love for the rest of the family. She was a devoted “savdoda ” to Sagi’s family and loved and cared for the children. In every meeting with Aylus the feeling was of endless love and acceptance. She always cared for the family and adjusted herself to each generation; she saved her special laugh for the little ones, and for the parents she was always the one to go to for advice and help. She contributed from her experience, in a good spirit, calmly, with a smile. She pled with the young generation: “Don’t do what I wouldn’t do,” but she also accepted it with understanding when they chose otherwise. Towards her parents, too, her responsibility and patience stood her in good stead, and she supported them with endless devotion. Alongside this she continued working in the printing press. Aged 70, she transferred to the manual wrapping department and became the right hand of Bosmat. She took responsibility for things that required skilled hands – cutting, sticking, packaging, and, in general, finding simple magical solutions for problems that seemed complicated. In the corridors of the printing press too, the family came first; Aylus would stop Sagi for a hug during every tour, no matter who he was with, and would say “I’m his aunt – and now you can continue.” Meanwhile the children grew, the future seemed calmer, and it was possible to sit for a little while to talk with friends or to go with them to a film workshop at Cinema City in Ramat Hasharon, to arrange flowers for festivals, and to think about renovating her home. On October 7, Ayala was murdered together with Liel and Yanai. Today they are buried next to Grandpa Avia, who was also murdered that Shabbat. May her memory be a blessing Back 10.06.1950 - 07.10.2023 73 years old

David Karol Life Story David Karol, a cherished figure within the Be'eri community, is remembered with fondness and deep respect. Born to Grazia and Albert Karol, immigrants from Izmir, Turkey, David was the eldest among his siblings, Moshe and Yigal. His early years were spent in the Ramat Amidar neighbourhood of Ramat Gan, where he was known for his mischievous nature and infectious zest for life. David's dream since the age of 13 was to live on a kibbutz, and eventually his adventurous spirit led him to Be'eri at the age of 16. Despite his family's initial reluctance, his determination saw him through, marking the beginning of a journey filled with camaraderie, love, and a deep connection to the land. David embarked on his journey to Be'eri as a participant in the Youth Aliyah program. Yet, when asked about how he arrived at the kibbutz, his response was filled with his characteristic humour: "on the two-ten bus," he would say. His selection of Be'eri as his new home stemmed from a deep desire to experience independent life in a kibbutz that lay a great distance from his family home, seeking new experience and a fresh start. David seamlessly became part of the Aluma group, immersing himself in the dynamic and spirited life of Be'eri's kibbutz youth. Among his peers, he was affectionately known by the surname "Karol," yet, within the warmth of his family, he remained simply David. At the age of seventeen and a half, David joined the army, serving in Battalion 50 of the Nachal Brigade. Even in the disciplined environment of the military, his playful spirit shone through, endearing him to his comrades. Following his service, David returned to Be'eri, where he worked in carpentry. With great skill and love, he crafted shelves for plants and furniture, both large and small, for all who sought his expertise. However, the outbreak of the Yom Kippur War soon called him back into service. It was during this period of reserve duty that David was wounded by shrapnel in his hand, necessitating his evacuation to the hospital. In 1978, during a singles retreat organised by the Kibbutz Movement, David met Rivkaleh and her young daughter, Lior, then only two and a half years old. From their very first encounter, David embraced Lior with all the love and care of a true father. Motivated by a desire to build a life together, David and Rivka ventured to Kibbutz Gilgal in the serene Jordan Valley, seeking a neutral place where their budding family could flourish. After a year of growth and deepening bonds, they returned to Be'eri, where they got married. In 1982, David was blessed with the birth of Harel, the light of his life. Harel, a child brimming with mischief and joy, inherited David's profound love for all types of sports. Within the walls of the children's house, where he grew up, Harel was affectionately dubbed Rol-Rol, a nickname that soon extended to encompass all his classmates in Iris’ class, who were lovingly referred to as "Roolroolim." After honing his skills in carpentry, David discovered a new passion in the kitchen. While carpentry would always hold a special place in his heart, the art of cooking beckoned with its promise of creativity and warmth. Enrolling in a chef's course at Ruppin College, David embarked on a culinary journey. "How's the food?" he would ask, his eyes sparkling with anticipation for the feedback that would fuel his next culinary adventure. Even as he transitioned to printing, his love for cooking remained undiminished, prompting many to inquire when he would return to the kitchen, especially after tasting his delectable soups or the exquisite olives he delighted in sharing at the pub. In times of sorrow, David was always the one to offer comfort through the warmth of his cooking. In his tenure within the printing industry, David found himself adept in various roles, where his love for driving flourished as he undertook deliveries and errands, traversing the country. His dedication to the Thursday evening check trips remains a fond memory for many, as he generously offered late-night rides to friends and students eager for a weekend escape to the kibbutz, becoming a cherished link between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem and the kibbutz in the times when owning a car was a luxury. Following the separation from Rivkaleh, David found love again with Orly, with whom he built a long-term relationship. Together, they nurtured a family that grew not just in numbers but in bonds, with his children Lior and Harel standing as pillars of his pride. David revelled in Lior's adventurous spirit and her ability to spread joy through her dance, while Harel's passion for sports and his role as a youth instructor always delighted David. The arrival of his granddaughters, Leah and Romi, added so much happiness to David's later years as he embraced the role of a grandfather whose heart knew no bounds. His greatest joy was found in the moments spent with his granddaughters, whose very mention of "Baba" filled him with contentment. In 2017, his son Harel died of a severe illness. Karol gathered all his strength and decided to continue living joyfully despite the pain, sorrow, and longing. He clung to happiness where he could find it, like his daughter and granddaughters, his partner, and his family, and managed to enjoy performances, trips, beach outings, taking care of his home, gardening, and friends. A year ago, his son-in-law Erez died. Karol rallied to help Lior, encouraging her to choose life for the sake of those who remained. As always, he was there for her unconditionally. Karol radiated joy, embracing life and the people around him, making him a key figure in Be'eri's social scene. He was a familiar presence in the dining hall, especially during the morning gatherings where he would move from table to table, sharing his thoughts on everything that delighted or irked him. His love for singing was undeniable; each performance was met with enthusiastic applause. The sound of his laughter and the warmth of his friendly pats on the back brought everyone closer, making him especially beloved by children. Karol had a fondness for games of luck, such as the lottery, “Toto”, and “Rav Chance”. But he always used to say that the greatest luck of his life was right there - in the community of Be'eri. His life was taken at 72. May his memory be a blessing. Back 14.09.1951 - 07.10.2023 72 years old

Hava Ben Ami Life Story Hava was born in Aleppo, Syria as Evelyn Yechezkel. On Passover of 1948, at the age of 3, she emigrated to Israel with her mother, Sally, her sisters, Mazal and Doris, her grandmother and her maternal uncle. Following the violence in Aleppo upon the UN’s declaration of 1947, most Syrian Jews were forced to escape and find their way to Israel through various circuitous and life-threatening routes. The fate of their father remains a mystery. The family was smuggled across the border on foot – their only means of survival was unleavened bread. In Israel, they settled in Holon’s “building-blocks” neighborhood, which was in fact, little more than a refugee camp of tents. The mother provided for her family by working at the Lodzia factory. Hava would say that she did her homework by the light of a kerosene lamp. When Hava turned nine, her mother remarried and sent the older girls to study under better conditions than the refugee camp could provide. Hava ended up on Kibbutz Be’eri and Mazal on Kibbutz Nitzanim. At Be’eri, Hava joined the Eshel group – the first group of children on the Kibbutz. As a Yaldat Hutz (a child from a family not from the kibbutz), she was assigned adoptive parents – Avraham and Rivka Sorek – who treated her as their own. The differences between the kibbutz children and these new children quickly dissolved, and she soon made friends with Niva, with whom she slept in the same room along with two other girls. After lights-out, after the "nannies" had left, and before the night-guards arrived, they would cuddle and play in one bed. Her adoptive father, Avraham, would arrive with plates of fries for Hava and Niva on nights when he had guard duty. He’d wake them up and they’d have a feast together. Hava had a hard time getting used to the food in the kibbutz dining room; she’d been used to the food her mother and grandmother would make, and so she wouldn’t eat the meat and other dishes there. Still, she grew up healthy and strong. She was also musically gifted, learning to play the accordion, a little piano, and – later – the flute. She would play at kibbutz memorial days, sing in the choir, and she loved to dance. Starting in sixth grade, Hava began working in the chicken coop with her adoptive mother and Niva while other girls were at school. The older she got, the longer the hours she spent at work. She was an avid worker during harvest seasons, picking cotton, and weeding. During high school, she met Ephraim, a member of the Youth Association. They fell in love and, a short time after she joined the army, decided to marry. In fact, Hava was the first in her group to get married. Hava and Ephraim had two children, Amit and Re’ut, and as one of the first kibbutz members to have a baby, she was one of the first to experience the harsh realities of kibbutz education – specifically, communal sleeping arrangements for children. Her daughter Re’ut recounts how her mother would come during the night and leave behind love notes in which she would recount the day’s occurrences or wish her a good night. The notes were filled with warmth and unquenchable love for her children, and Re’ut kept them, only opening them during the mourning period for her mother, to once more feel her mother’s love. When Re’ut was four, Hava and Ephraim separated. Some years later, Hava married Mike Ben Ami, an American who arrived on the kibbutz with a daughter. Hava and Mike had a daughter together – Noam. But they separated several years later. Over the years, Hava worked in the chicken coop, in education, and in the clothes store. At age 45 she decided to complete her high-school education and seek a profession. With her friend Ruthie, they began to study. Ruthie became a nurse and Hava a cosmetician. She was good at her job and many kibbutz members were among her clients, but her reputation soon extended well beyond the kibbutz. At 56 she was diagnosed with breast cancer, but with typical fortitude soon went back to work – taking up Pilates, swimming, and yoga upon her retirement. Her bike was a constant companion, and only recently did she agree to graduate to a golf cart. But she never gave up her work as a cosmetician. Hava played musical instruments, embroidered, painted, and later in life began to knit dolls, teddy bears, and more – all for her grandchildren. She loved gardening and hers blossomed. She fostered a warm and loving home into which one always entered with pleasure, quickly adopting youngsters and elderly alike – anyone who lacked a family. Youngsters would drop by her neighborhood, stop to talk, enjoy her humor and love, for Hava loved to laugh at her own expense. Her children will never forget her characteristic expressions, such as “food whets the appetite,” constantly reminding her daughter Re’ut to eat. Hava was very family oriented, and maintained contact with her three sisters – Mazal, Doris, and Ronit – and they would often come for weekends. Her social circles included single friends with whom she traveled and went to movies, had for dinner and sabbath meals, and whom she would accompany to medical appointments, and family members she would visit. Her devotion to her children was boundless, and when they left the kibbutz, she maintained contact and visited them often. She would shower them with pomelos and peanuts from the field, pots of food and presents, and help raise her grandchildren – Mai, Gal, Lia, Noa, Haggai, Yael, Romi, and Idan. Upon learning of Hava’s death, her daughter Noam received hundreds of messages – all talking about her heart of gold and her charm, her lack of judgment, beaming smile, and her ability to accept any person for who they are. They also remembered her creativity, her generosity, her caring heart, and her help for others, her warmth, the love, and the devotion to her family. Hava was a small person with a huge heart – 1.50 meters of warmth and compassion. May her memory be blessed. Back 16.02.1945 - 07.10.2023 78 years old

Ablum Milles Life Story Ablum was born to Fortuna and Maurice Milles in Cairo. He was an older brother to Izzy (Yitzhak), Erela (Arlette), Esther (Etti) and Leah (Lulu). At the age of six, his family joined the wave of illegal immigration to Israel. They sailed from Egypt to France, and from there, via Brindisi to Israel. After being put up for a long while in a transit camp in near Haifa, at Atlit, the family moved to the Aleph neighborhood of Beer Sheva. Ablum, nicknamed Barry in his youth, was an impish and agile boy who sought refuge from the rigid and austere upbringing in his parents' home. Freedom, for him, was to be found in the quirky adventures and pranks that he used to pull off with his younger brother, Izzy. He was independent and fearless and he loved to climb and improvise solutions out of the small treasures that nature provided. One day, he and Izzy found a stray donkey in a grove near the neighbourhood. They decided to ride it around, taking side trips and running errands throughout Beersheba. That adventure ended with arrest and a police file for each of them. Ablum knew that the return home would be costly. He protected his younger brother with his body, while Izzy and Erela also tried mightily to keep their older brother from their father's wrath. At the age of 14, Ablum left home, joined the Be'arot youth movement, and arrived at Kibbutz Be'eri. The group consisted of 40 members, of whom only 10 were girls, and the teachers were Tamar and Menucha. Ablum integrated into the fabric of social life on the kibbutz, and was known for his ability to fix things—from carpentry to plumbing. At any rate, the educational environment on the kibbutz emphasized learning for the purposes of work rather than learning for the sake of knowledge. Ablum fell in love with the kibbutz and accepted fully his new way of life. He distanced himself from the holy books of Jewish tradition and entrusted his mother with his tefillin so that she could return the ritual prayer straps to the synagogue. The members of Be'erot, Ablum included, enlisted in the airborne battalion of the Nahal Brigade and there he did his military service. During the Yom Kippur War, he was drafted into the reserves at an ordnance base; when he suddenly saw Hezi, a tank crew member, on his way to a unit in the north, Ablum announced he was joining. When he arrived at the unit, they told him he was too old, and Ablum replied: "If you don't accept me, I'll leave here with a tank!" Even the most heroic commander would have been forced to succumb, and Ablum became a gunner in the company commander’s tank. His friends remember his sense of humor, the pranks he pulled on the guys, and no less so, the order and organization that he instilled. Ablum was one of the few Be’erot members who returned to the kibbutz. During his lifetime he managed to work in an array of posts: in the chicken coop, the firefighting unit, the gardening crew, the dining room, as part of the home economics team, a dairy farmer, an electrician and a builder. For a time, he was also an organizer of the Shabbat and daily work schedules. He manned “the guillotine” at the printing press, and later was on the license printing and card production teams at the press. In 1968, he met Jean Dressler, a young volunteer from the United States who had come to Be'eri. A year later, they got married, and Shani, Gal and Niv, were born. After separating from Jean, Ablum started a family with Yona Fricker, with whom he had Sigal and Stav. Ablum inculcated in his children, including Aviv, Yona's daughter from her first marriage, a sense of independence and curiosity and a love of nature. The man who grew up in a harsh and hard reality showered his children with love. In December 1996, Niv was killed in a tragic accident at the tender age of 14. The tragedy deeply shook the entire family. Seized by longing, Ablum planted cyclamens in the grove of Be'eri’s cemetery, and would collect the seeds and germinate them in small pots, distributing them to members of the kibbutz. Many cyclamens still bloom in the members' gardens and around the kibbutz. Ablum nurtured the house and also built a basement on his own that continually expanded and became his private paradise. He loved his garden and his special collection of cacti, and invited everyone to watch the Queen of the Night cactus bloom one night each year. Ablum maintained an enviable routine of listening to music, watching movies, sports and heading out on forays into nature. He loved sitting on the balcony, listening on his famous radio to traditional Israeli songs, especially Yehoram Gaon, and to the Egyptian singer Umm Kulthum. He loved traveling around Israel and to places farther afield. He especially loved going to Sinai, and was like a family member to some of the Bedouin families in Tarabin. After Niv's death, he spent many a day in a tent on the Lighthouse Beach in Eilat. There he would dive, rest, recharge his batteries. Among family and friends, a new tradition was born: pilgrimages to go see Ablum in his tent. Ablum was colorblind. And so he surprised all with some rather unusual combinations: the house was painted yellow-and-blue, and the colors of his flowing trousers and bright hats were often a sight to behold. His taste buds, too, were unique: he added hot pepper to every meal. He always drank his coffee with cardamom and no sugar, because a good Egyptian does not sweeten coffee. He liked to dole out to his neighbours choice prickly pears and figs that he picked in orchards scattered among the distant fields. He taught his son Gal to cure olives, and the two won prizes in a series of local competitions. In November 2022, after contending with a serious illness, Gal passed away. Parting from his beloved son was unbearable to Ablum, though even in the face of this tragedy, he found solace in small joys: the quality time he spent with his grandchildren and daughters. He was a hardworking and humble do-it-yourself man, who loved the kibbutz with all his heart and wanted to build a home for his children, a better home than he himself had. He was murdered in his home, on the Black Saturday of October 7, 2023. In his safe room, on the pillow, was found a Book of Psalms. May his memory be a blessing. Back 14.08.1943 - 07.10.2023 80 years old

Rinat Even Life Story Rinat was born in August 1979 on Kibbutz Nir Am, the daughter of Batya and Moti Segev and granddaughter of founding members of the kibbutz. Rinat may have been the baby of the family, but she knew how to hold her own. She was a leader in the kibbutz youth movement and stood out in her own unique way – she never aligned herself with the majority and always acted according to her own beliefs. Her rebelliousness was expressed in subtle ways: she loved Zehava Ben and Beitar Jerusalem. In the army, Rinat served as a squad leader in the Nahal Brigade. After her discharge, she worked in Nir Am and later in Be'eri. That's how she met Chen. Rinat devoted herself to social work. She completed her master's degree and aimed toward her PhD while working with struggling families and at-risk youth. In the kibbutz, Rinat was the coordinator of the social committee and was in charge of the memorial ceremonies. She treated every role and task as her own personal mission, moving heaven and earth to find what she thought were the ideal solutions. Rinat enjoyed a variety of pastimes. A year before her death, she attended the World Cup in Qatar with her brother Amit. She learned Arabic on her own, and when she went to the Sinai, in September 2023, she already knew enough to get by. Asked if she wasn't afraid to travel, she replied that “you only live once.” And she certainly knew how to live and enjoy life, without hesitation and with great delight. Chen and Rinat got married on September 1, 2005, in a modest ceremony held beside the kibbutz pool with family and friends. The loving couple had four children. 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, the entire kibbutz stands together beside you. Forever. Rinat Even was 44 at the time of her death. May her memory be a blessing. Back 25.08.1979 - 07.10.2023 44 years old