We parked in front of the Nova site, and my body tensed. I braced for what was coming. Nothing could have prepared me.
Under the shade of tall eucalyptus and pine trees is a vast sea of photographs, a living cemetery. A heavy silence pervades the site. Families and friends built individual shrines with portraits of beautiful young men and women, handwritten notes, and small mementos. A grove of 364 pine trees, planted by Jewish National Fund - USA, honors lives cut short.
Mike and I walked through trying to read every story but it’s impossible. There are so many. I felt guilty not being able to pay tribute to each one.
Ido Peretz, 22, killed by terrorists at the Nova Festival on October 7, 2023, in Israel.
There was Ido Peretz, 22, from Ramat Gan, the town my parents and I lived in when I was a baby. His family shared Ido’s guiding principles in life, demonstrating the depth and wisdom of this young man:
There is no such thing as impossible
Count to five and get up
You are great exactly as you are
There’s always a thing to do
You only live once
Be good people
Libby Cohen, 22, killed by terrorists at the Nova Festival in Israel on October 7, 2023.
A few steps away was Libby Cohen Meguri, also 22, from Tel Aviv. Her family called her a "ray of sunshine full of joy and kindness." Her poster features a radiant young woman with long dark hair, rollerblading, smiling, making chocolate. A life just beginning. The text details her horrific final moments. She and her friend Adi fled down Route 232, only to be caught in a deadly trap. Adi was shot and killed instantly; Libby was shot in the stomach and hand, spending her final eight minutes on the phone telling her family how much she loved them before the call fell silent.
Nova Festival memorial flowers.
Nearby, thousands of red clay anemones cover the grounds. The flower is native to this region and now a symbol of resilience and renewal. Some flowers are charred, representing the devastation of October 7. Red petals symbolize rebirth and hope.
I stood on the main stage. Above it, a sign: “Your light will shine forever, and your joy will be remembered always.” Beyond, photos, clay flowers and Israeli flags where young people had danced. It felt like those beautiful souls were looking at me, crying for help. #rememberoctober7th
Next: What Remains
