Rachel Man: My daughter was brave in everything she did, and I’m not just saying that because I’m her mother. When she was 10, her father, David, contracted cancer. Over the years, she connected to medicine. At 14, she went to the library, took out medical books, and neglected her studies. But in the end, she graduated with honors.
She was exempted from the IDF because of Mediterranean fever, but she did reserve service. She couldn't stand on her feet, but she didn't care about anything else. Her release was to sing. It was a therapy that she taught herself.
Lior Man: Amit was my little sister. We grew up very close. When our father got cancer, we took care of him, which strengthened the bond between us. When he died, it was us two against the world. She was my best friend. Every memory of her is accompanied by laughter and comfort. Her motto was to live the moment. She was a lioness imbued with a purpose -- saving lives. She was our pride and our hero.
Haviva: Amit woke up to a barrage of rockets and red alerts. Her partner paramedic went on duty at the Netivot station. When he heard that the shooting was unusual, he told her to go with him because it was dangerous to stay in Be'eri. Amit said that precisely because it was dangerous, she was staying. She wrote to us that she was in the safe room, but when she realized that there were wounded, dead, and a terrorist infiltration, she took her paramedic bag and ran to the dental clinic, which was designated as a gathering place for an emergency. In the recordings that MDA played for us when she called to report the dead and wounded, they heard her running, panting, and describing the situation while giving instructions to everyone on what to do. She arrived at the clinic at 7 a.m., surrounded by the kibbutz nurse, a doctor, and two members of the emergency room who were protecting the clinic. Everyone was murdered except the nurse and two wounded.
Amit heard gunshots and was in contact with us while treating the wounded. MDA told her that the area was a war zone and ambulances couldn’t enter. Even though her life was in danger, she kept calm and spoke professionally. A severely wounded survivor said that Amit took care of him for hours. She told us to lock our doors. When she realized it was over, she wrote and said to be strong. At 1:50 p.m. her ammunition ran out. She wrote that she heard the terrorists were coming back, and she didn't think she’d survive. A few minutes later, she sent an audio message that the terrorists had entered. We went crazy with worry. In a desperate move, I called her. Amit answered and said that they shot her in the leg and killed everyone. At 2:15 p.m., when the soldiers entered the clinic, they found Amit's body with a tourniquet on her left leg, and a gunshot wound in the head.
Amit was our little princess, she had depth and courage.
Yossi Abergil, director of Darca Navon
Amit was an excellent student. She was awarded a certificate for municipal social excellence for volunteering at MDA. She graduated as an outstanding student alongside continuing to work at MDA. She excelled in singing and had rare stage acting abilities. She could easily have been a star, but she put her work as a senior paramedic at MDA at the forefront.
The CEO of MDA said that Amit's hours in the clinic and the conversations with the medical authorities will be taught in their courses. Her professional excellence was also reflected in her moral excellence. She did not leave the wounded, even at her own risk.
In every war, inspiring stories are told. There is no doubt that this war will include the story of Amit's heroism. The school team is working on producing a professional and pedagogical course that will tell the story of her heroism.
Tohar Lugassi, studied with Amit in Darca Navon:
The most special girl I knew was taken from the world. When I met Amit in elementary school, I fell in love with her. Our common denominator was music. Every day after school we went to each other's houses and wrote songs. We went to high school together, and we sang at all the ceremonies. My heart will never be whole again. Amit spread kindness, and never judged anyone. I have an empty space. I'm sure we all do.
Segev Sabag studied with Amit in Darca Navon: I was blessed with an angelic companion who brought light into my life. Throughout high school, we were never apart. I told her that she would become famous for singing and acting. I didn’t imagine that she would become famous for being a heroine and not for her voice. Amit loved life, and life loved her. She taught me to judge fairly, and to see the good in everyone.
Dr. Gil Pereg, CEO Darca Schools
The stories about Amit reflect a passionate individual who was nothing short of a hero. We learned of her exceptional character through the stories shared by her family, friends, teachers, and community. Amit was a student at Darca’s Yitzhak Navon High School in Netivot, where many of the seeds of her admirable traits took root. There is no doubt for us at Darca that Amit’s legacy, her spirit of giving, and dedication to care for others will serve as a vital source of inspiration for our students today and for generations. Her story of courage and commitment will be remembered and will provide a model for the thousands of students at Darca schools.
This article was written in cooperation with Rachel and Lior Man