Commemorating Two Years Since October 7 through Personal Stories

On October 7, 2023 Hamas terrorists invaded Israel and murdered 1200 Israelis and foreign nationals, kidnapping 251 and injuring countless more. Since then, over 400 Israeli soldiers have been killed in the subsequent war. 

Amid the overwhelming scale of the tragedy, it is easy to lose sight of the human dimension. Behind every number is a face, a family, and a story as complex and meaningful as our own. October 7 and the two years that have followed have reshaped countless lives, reminding us that history is not only measured in events, but in the lived experiences of individuals.

This resource highlights the stories of five individuals who were profoundly impacted by October 7th. 

• Ruti Munder, a grandmother who was kidnapped on October 7th.
• Eli Sharabi, a husband and father of two who was held hostage for 491 days.
• Captain (Res.) Avi Golberg, a high school educator and reservist in the IDF who fell in battle in Lebanon.
• Agam Berger, a young lookout soldier who was kidnapped from her base on October 7 one day after she began her service at the base.
• Noam Tibon and Gali Mir-Tibon, a decorated former general and his wife who drove into the battle to save their son and his family.

The stories you will encounter here are only glimpses into the vast human impact of October 7. They represent a handful of voices among thousands whose lives were forever altered—lives of courage, heartbreak, resilience, and love. By sharing these narratives, we honor both the memory of those lost and the strength of those who continue to endure. May these stories inspire us, as educators and as a community, to remember, to teach, and to carry forward the legacy of those forever changed by that day.