Esther Mordechai
79. Born in Bahrain. lives in Moshav Margaliot.
Evacuated to Hotel at Kibbutz Lavi.
Spiritual care and interviews: Bracha Tor. |
We have four children and seven grandchildren. The eldest lives in Barcelona, one set of twins and another daughter who returned to religious observance lives in Jerusalem with her seven children.
I grew up in Argentina absorbing tradition and faith from my grandparents. Living among non-Jews, one must maintain Jewish identity and uniqueness.
I became pregnant immediately and later returned to work in accounting. I also studied manicure and pedicure and helped in various kibbutz sectors. I worked in accounting for 30 years. After retirement, I studied Yiddish, painting, and carpentry in Tel Hai. Lectures bore me, but I always enjoyed crafts and helping others.
I spent four years alone in Israel, learning much about life, which remains an open book to this day.
Dreams are not over. I hope to remain clear-minded and healthy and to pass my values and beliefs to my grandchildren and the next generation. I once dreamed of immigrating to Israel and marrying a tall, blue-eyed man—and it happened. There is always room for new dreams.
On October 7, I felt panic and confusion. On October 8, we evacuated Menara. Shaul had a car accident; both of us were injured. Everything changed. Shaul continues physiotherapy and hydrotherapy.
I said: “Our home in Menara was not damaged, but our body and soul were. I prefer to recover at home. With all the damage in the kibbutz and region, it is still my home.”
Though not native to Menara, it is my home: the smells, the view, the people, the memories. At the hotel, I meet many kibbutz friends from Veterans of the Galilee.
I love people, my family, and myself. It took me a long time to realize I could love myself. When I was young, I was very critical of myself because that was the message I heard around me. Today, I love myself and recognize my own value. I also love what I do.
79. Born in Bahrain. lives in Moshav Margaliot.
Evacuated to Hotel at Kibbutz Lavi.
Spiritual care and interviews: Bracha Tor. |
Hagar Ehrlich Hachster / 73 /
Born and lives in Kibbutz Manara / Evacuated to the Nof Kinneret Hotel |
Spiritual support and interviews: Bracha Tor
Photography: Bracha Tor
83, born in India.
Immigrated to Israel in 1966.
Her home is in Shlomi. Evacuated to the Dan Mount Scopus Hotel, Jerusalem.
Interviewer: Nava Tal
Shlomo Turjeman / 79 / Born in Morocco, lives in Shlomi / Evacuated to the Dan Mount Scopus Hotel |
Spiritual support and interviews: Nava Tal / Photography: Dor Pazuelo
69, born in Morocco.
Her home is in Shlomi. Evacuated to the Dan Mount Scopus Hotel, Jerusalem.
Interviewer: Nava Tal
Yael Karidi / 86 / Born in Givatayim, lives in Kibbutz Malkiya / Evacuated to the Nof Kinneret Hotel |
Spiritual support and interviews: Bracha Tor / Photography: Sharon Levy
Alegria Turjeman / 77 / Born in Morocco, lives in Shlomi / Evacuated to the Dan Mount Scopus Hotel
Spiritual support and interviews: Nava Tal / Photography: Dor Pazuelo
Katzir / 88 / Born in Givat Michael, lives in Dafna / Evacuated to the Nof Kinneret Hotel |
Spiritual support and interviews: Bracha Tor / Photography: Sharon Levy
69.
Immigrated to Israel from the former Soviet Union in 1990.
Her home is in Shlomi. Evacuated to the Dan Mount Scopus Hotel, Jerusalem.
Interviewer: Nava Tal
Age: 84
Born: Iran
Immigrated to Israel: 1951
Home: Kiryat Shmona
Evacuated to: An apartment in Migdal
Interviewer: Bracha Tor
Interview location: Oncology Day Clinic, Ziv Medical Center
Age 93, born in Romania, immigrated to Israel in 1935, lives in Malkiya, evacuated to the Nof Kinneret Hotel.
Interview: Bracha Tor
70, born in Israel (Safed).
Her home is in Shlomi. Evacuated to the Dan Mount Scopus Hotel, Jerusalem.
Interviewer: Nava Tal
Tamar Katz / 81 / Born in Chulata. Lives in Kibbutz Malkiya /
Evacuated to the Nof Kinneret Hotel | Spiritual support and interviews: Bracha Tor /
Photography: Sharon Levy
69, born in Israel (Tiberias).
Her home is in Shlomi. Evacuated to the Dan Mount Scopus Hotel.
Interviewer: Nava Tal
70, born in Israel.
Her home is in Shlomi. Evacuated to the Dan Mount Scopus Hotel, Jerusalem.
Interviewer: Nava Tal
76, born in Tunisia.
Her home is in Shlomi. Evacuated to the Dan Mount Scopus Hotel, Jerusalem.
Interviewer: Nava Tal
87, born in Libya.
Immigrated from Morocco in 1949.
Her home is in Shlomi. Evacuated to the Dan Mount Scopus Hotel, Jerusalem.
Interviewer: Nava Tal
Naftali Shmueli, age 91.5, born in Jerusalem, lives in Kibbutz Malkiya, evacuated to the Nof Kinneret Hotel | Interview and photography: Bracha Tor
Sefi / 81 / Born in Iran, lives in Kibbutz Malkiya / Evacuated to the Nof Kinneret Hotel |
Spiritual support and interviews: Bracha Tor / Photography: Sharon Levy
90, born in Yemen.
Her home is in Shlomi. Evacuated to the Dan Mount Scopus Hotel, Jerusalem.
Interviewer: Nava Tal
70, born in Casablanca, Morocco.
Her home is in Shlomi. Evacuated to the Dan Mount Scopus Hotel, Jerusalem.
Interviewer: Nava Tal
Tzipa Peretz, 77, born in Kibbutz Dafna, evacuated from Kibbutz Dafna to the Nof Kinneret Hotel. Interview: Bracha Tor
Photography: Sharon Levy
Age 93, born in Romania, immigrated to Israel in 1935, lives in Malkiya, evacuated to the Nof Kinneret Hotel.
Interview: Bracha Tor