Five families whose loved ones were killed on October 7 shared how jewels and toys of their lost relatives are accompanying them in their mourning.
Yuval Ben Yehuda's Jewelry: A Symbol of Her Spirited Essence
Yuval Ben Yehuda, 26, of Ramat Gan, met a tragic end at the Nova music festival in Kibbutz Re'im. Oral, her sister, recalls Yuval as a vibrant force at home, the life of every holiday gathering. Animals held a special place in her heart, influencing the household's diverse array of parrots, rabbits, cats, and dogs. "She planned to work, save money, study animal care, and have children," Oral shared, emphasizing Yuval's caring nature.
When the family collected Yuval's belongings from the Lahav 433 police department, Oral described the emotional impact of each returned item—a poignant reminder of irreparable loss. The necklace and rings, worn at the festival, were more than accessories; they symbolized freedom and encapsulated Yuval's essence. The necklace, purchased during her travels in India, held sentimental value, serving as a perpetual memento.
Sgt Omri Niv Feirstein's Treasured Possessions: A Glimpse into His World
Sergeant Omri Niv Feirstein, 20, from Givatayim, served in the rescue and training division of the Home Front Command. His mother, Or-Lee, expressed how much receiving Omri's belongings meant to her — a means of bringing him back into their home. Six boxes held a treasure trove of equipment, clothes, and personal items, filling their home with Omri's presence.
Three items held particular importance for Or-Lee: his blanket, a constant companion since enlistment; his pillow, an inseparable part of his sleep routine since age 5; and his cell phone, containing precious videos and pictures. Unexpectedly, the phone unveiled a side of Omri that Or-Lee had not seen before—a collection of photographs and videos capturing his vibrant personality, providing solace amid the grief.
Or-Lee also treasures a necklace gifted to Omri, now worn around her neck—a tangible connection to his warm embrace and a heartfelt reminder of their bond.
Sgt Yaron Uri Shay's Multi-Faceted Identity: A Brother's Reflection
Sergeant Yaron Uri Shay, 21, from Kadima-Tzoran, was killed during a firefight in Kerem Shalom. Known as 'Noni' at home, Yaron had layers of personality—a quiet and shy side, a humorous layer, and a deep, intelligent core, as shared by his brother, Lior.
Receiving Yaron's belongings invoked a whirlwind of emotions for Lior. The items, a symbol of his time in the army, provided a glimpse into Yaron's inner world. Notable discoveries included Yaron's laptop, containing his beloved Football Manager game, and a beret that Lior had gifted him. The beret, representing their shared Nahal history, stirred deep emotions, offering a poignant reflection on their unique connection.
The toy and blanket of the late Ruth Peretz
The story of Ruth Peretz (17), a girl with special needs, and her loving and devoted father Eric Peretz, who were murdered at the "Nova" festival in Kibbutz Re'im, shuddered and moved an entire country. For almost 30 days, Ruth was declared missing, and last week her family received the official announcement that her body had been located. Ruth loved musuc parties, and she and her father used to go to them regularly.
After the massacre, Hani Ogen and her husband went to the party area to collect equipment and objects that were left there in order to bring them to their families. Some of the objects were given to the survivors, some were given to the police to locate the owners of the objects, and the only objects that were given to the families of the victims were those of Ruth and her father.
"We received my father's hoodie and my little sister's butterfly-shaped toy that she loved and took everywhere, and a blanket that my father regularly put on her chair in case she got cold," said Ruth's sister, Yamit. "First of all, I felt the most pain for my sister's items. These were the things she loved the most. My sister taught me to love people, to love nature, and to say thank you for what is good in the world."
"My sister's belongings are her way of keeping me strong," she added.
The bracelets of the late Ron Yehudai
Ron Yehudai (24) from Yahud was murdered at the "Nova" music festival in Kibbutz Re'im. His family recently received the bracelets he wore on the day of his murder.
"It's hard to sum up Ron in a few words because he was a world of magic in himself," said his sister Noam. "From the moment he was born, he understood that this life is lived every day, and you don't have to wait for some specific moment to do something or have some kind of experience.
"As siblings, we didn't fight even once," she added. "This is something very unique. That's how it was also with his friends. He made sure to tattoo his life on his body. Everywhere, he created an experience with the tattoos, and he made sure to only do good to everyone around him."
Noam explained that Ron had a special connection to colors.
"He had a thing for colors: since he loved colors and spreading good things with his smile, so everywhere he went he would buy some kind of bracelet with the colors he liked, often yellow and black due to the fact that he was a fan of Beitar Jerusalem."
"At the party in Re'im, he wore several bracelets, one of them was light blue and white with the name 'RON' engraved on it," Noam added. "Now, this bracelet is on my arm. It's like an eternal hug from him."
