Ono’s 6th Month Memorial Ceremony for the Victims and the Hostages of October 7th | |
On April 4, 2024, Ono Academic College marked a half a year since the Hamas Simchat Torah attacks that began the Iron Swords War. The first address was given by Ono President, Prof. Shlomo Noy. He noted that the experience of the hostages being held in Gaza is one of hell and that everyone needs to work to bring them home. He mourned the two dozen Ono students and graduates who have been killed and noted that we will soon find new ways to remember them. Noy stated that Ono has been one of the Israeli institutions of higher education that has been most responsive to needs of its affected students (evacuees, those in reserves, etc.) | |
Mai Katz, the Director of the Society and Community Division of Ono’s Student Union, also stated that the hostages always need to be at the forefront of our priorities. She mourned the fact that the media recently reported that hostage Elad Katzir was murdered in captivity. She concluded saying we have strong nation and wonderful people and we will be victorious because (as the song goes) we have no other land. | |
Zehava and Tamir, two students from Ono’s School of Music, presented a beautiful musical interlude, appropriate for the occasion | |
The event moderator, Dr. Michal Shapira, described her close relationship with Yossi Sharabi, the Ono graduate who was reported as being kidnapped on October 7th. Shapira noted that at Ono’s event that marked 100 days since the start of the war, we focused on bringing Yossi home, but sadly, we learned soon after that it was determined that Yossi had already been killed. She introduced Sharon Sharabi, who is the brother of the late Yossi Sharabi, as well as the brother of Eli Sharabi, who is still being held captive by Hamas. | |
Sharon Sharabi noted that Lianne, the wife of his brother Eli, and their two children Noya and Yahel, were murdered by Hamas terrorists on October 7th. He expressed gratitude to Ono, which was one of the first institutions that reached out to him and offered assistance. Sharabi said that while Hamas took two of his brothers, he has an entire nation of brothers and sisters who are standing with him in solidarity. He believes that the unity of Israel will be our biggest victory. | |
Sharon Sharabi’s daughter, Rotem Sharabi, performed a memorial song, accompanying herself on the guitar, for Noya Sharabi, her cousin and best friend who was murdered by Hamas. | |
The ceremony concluded with a prayer for the safe return of the hostages led by Rabbi Hilik Kaplan, Director of Ono’s Chabad House. |