Nova Festival victims’ families plant trees where they lost their loved ones
Grieving families have planted trees in the parking area for the Nova Festival, where they lost family members in the October 7 massacre.
The area prepared for the tree planting
Together with KKL-JNF (Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael – Jewish National Fund) workers, they planted new trees in memory of the 364 victims who were murdered during the event held days before Tu BiShvat, the new year for trees, this year on Thursday, January 25.
Among the participating families were Ricarda Luk, the mother of Shani Luk, who was kidnapped from the festival in Raim and murdered in Gaza, Yona Adam, the mother of Mapal Adam, who was killed in the festival in Raim, Yoram Yehudai, the father of Ron Yehudai, who was murdered in the Nova Festival while hiding in a truck and Sharon Gratziani, the sister of Ma’or Gratziani, who was killed in the festival in Raim.
On Saturday, Oct. 7th, at 6:22, sirens began to sound at the festival site. A few minutes later, the decision was made to close the festival, and police began evacuating the large crowd from the venue. Meanwhile, Hamas terrorists penetrated Israeli territory. The terrorists reached the festival site in vans and paragliding gear, firing at participants in the party with Kalashnikovs, RPG rockets and throwing hand grenades towards them. The area was destroyed and set on fire, causing extensive damage. Now, KKL-JNF is working on its recovery.
KKL-JNF Chairman Ifat Ovadia Lusky said: “On October 7, the State of Israel experienced one of its darkest days since its establishment. The Re’im Campground, which was a vibrant place with hundreds of thousands of visitors every year, turned into a scene of a terrible massacre. The pain of the grieving families is the pain of the entire Israeli people, and we stand with them throughout the way. The history of the people of Israel is not just a history of disturbances but a history of resilience. On Tu B’Shvat, we convey a message of renewal and hope – we will rise from the dust and grow new lives in Re’im and all around Israel. In every generation, we face challenges, and this time, too, we will recover and cultivate new lives. All KKL-JNF employees are enlisted in the national mission, and KKL-JNF will be at the forefront of reducing the pain here. Together, we will prevail.”
Doron and Mirav Mader with KKL-JNF chairwoman Ovadia Lusky
Mirav and Doron Mader, who came today to plant a tree in memory of their son Shahak Yosef Mader, 26, commented: “Everything is reversible. Shahak is a brother to five other siblings, a student at Ben-Gurion University studying hotel and tourism management, an outstanding student, and a fighter in the Nahal Brigade. Today, we came to plant a tree in his memory, hoping to see the tree, strong and flourishing, take root in the ground. Twelve years ago, we adopted two children of Doron’s sister, and since then, we are a close family, and everything connects.”
Ram Shalom’s parents with the KKL-JNF chairwoman Ovadia Lusky
Nurit Shalom, whose son Ram was murdered in the Novah Festival, added: “My beloved son Ram was murdered in the festival on October 7. He was a child who loved life, loved every person, and was cheerful. We returned from the United States two days before the festival, and he told me that he had been to a festival called Nova in the United States and that there is a similar one in Israel, and he is going there, but he did not return. Today, I came to the planting ceremony to plant a eucalyptus seedling in his memory through KKL – JNF, which conducted a moving tribute which brought tears to my eyes. Thank you to KKL – JNF for the amazing initiative and tribute; I have no words to thank them.”
Photos: Yossi Ifergan KKL JNF Archive
