Many faces of a post- 7 October Israel

I have travelled to Israel many times since the 7 October massacre, and every time, I have had the opportunity to meet many Israelis throughout the country who have felt the impact of the events of Simchat Torah 2023 deeply. 

Every Israeli was deeply scarred by the atrocities of that day of horror. Even with the elation of the hostage release and ceasefire over past weeks, there’s still so much pain. Prior to Rosh Hashanah, we took a delegation of South African communal and business leaders to Israel. During this tour, we engaged with some of the remarkable individuals affected that day, each sharing sobering and deeply moving stories. 

Rabbi Doron Perez travelled south with us, retracing the journey of his two sons, Yonatan and Daniel, both of whom fought courageously to stem the flood of terrorists who entered Israel with the desire to murder civilians in the kibbutzim. He walked us through the day, starting from the morning, when Yonatan was called from their home to go and help protect those in the Gaza envelope. Our group travelled down the very road he took, with the rabbi describing the journey throughout the day. We entered the surveillance room at Nahal Oz base, where women lookouts tried desperately to warn of the impending attacks. Some were burnt alive, and seven were taken hostage. Rabbi Perez described the scene of dead bodies that confronted his son as he arrived on the base; and showed us where he was shot in the leg. He then led us up to a watch tower overlooking the area where Daniel was fatally shot after a day of extraordinary bravery and heroism. The pain was palpable as he shared the story of his two sons. South African Jewish Board of Deputies National President Zev Krengel travelled back to Israel last week to support the Perez family as Daniel’s body returned home for burial. 

It amazed me that wherever we went with Rabbi Perez, whether down south or to a government meeting in Jerusalem, he was viewed with such respect. His words have brought comfort, strength, and wisdom to so many at a time when we should be the ones offering him and his family support. We saw this again at Daniel’s funeral. 

We also visited the shelter where Hersh Goldberg-Polin and others sought refuge amid the killing rampage at the Nova festival. Later that day, we met his mother, Rachel, for a profoundly moving conversation about her son, and the insights she has gained over the past two years. She shared the vital role that faith has played in sustaining her through this trauma; her thoughts on securing the hostages’ return; and her belief in how Israel can bridge deep divides not only within the country but across global Jewry. This remarkable woman possesses phenomenal strength and an incredible insight into trauma and suffering. 

Her voice, like that of Rabbi Perez, has brought great comfort to many in Israel and in Jewish communities around the world still grappling with the darkness of that day. 

Another face of post-7 October we encountered was Nurith Irene Cohn, one of the few women volunteers of Zaka, who spent the weeks after that terrible day collecting human remains in accordance with Jewish law. In contrast to the desecration of bodies by Hamas murderers, Cohn and the other responders combed through homes in the kibbutzim, the Nova festival, and even the cars burnt on the day with Israeli citizens in them. She battles with the horrific images she witnessed. 

We met President Isaac Herzog and his wife, Michal, who highlighted not only the sexual violence committed on 7 October – and against hostages thereafter – but also atrocities against Druze women in Syria and other global victims, something she is advocating for. 

These are only a few of the faces of post-7 October with whom we engaged. It’s clear that the past two years have taken a major toll on every individual and family with whom we interacted. The incredible access that we had throughout this visit laid bare these deep scars. Yet we also were struck by the resilience of this nation. Despite ongoing challenges and complexities, it citizens remain hopeful. 

May the remaining bodies be returned immediately so that their families can also begin to heal alongside all of Israel and the diaspora. 

• Wendy Kahn is national director of the South African Jewish Board of Deputies.