Naftali Shmueli
Naftali Shmueli, age 91.5, born in Jerusalem, lives in Kibbutz Malkiya, evacuated to the Nof Kinneret Hotel | Interview and photography: Bracha Tor
For me, my home is the smells and tastes of what I cook. Home is feeling the floor beneath my feet, the towels that I laundered, the view of Moshav Betzet from the window, the sea stretching out before me, and Rosh HaNikra.
It is difficult for me without my home. Home is my connection to the land. My home is always full of life. Thank God, many friends and family gather in my home for Shabbat and the holidays. There are the smells of food, the feeling of joy and of love in my home.
I am deeply grateful to God that my daughter gave birth to her only son in my arms. On Tisha B’Av, it is customary in our family to clean the house thoroughly, as we prepare it for the coming of the Messiah. We organize and arrange everything as we do on Passover night.
My daughter wanted to participate in the cleaning until the very last moment, and therefore did not tell me that she was having contractions. When we finished and everything was clean and orderly, I gave her a foot massage, and suddenly she said she needed to go to the bathroom. I immediately understood and said to her, “Push.”
That is how Miron was born directly into my hands. I am deeply grateful for that moving moment.
First and foremost, I hope for peace and security.
I hope to return home soon, that Shlomi will be rebuilt, and that we will return to live in our familiar green surroundings.
I bless the entire people of Israel that the soldiers will return home, and that all the hostages — women and men — will return quickly to their families.
Beyond that, nothing more is needed.
On October 7, our entire family was together after a very joyful evening before Simchat Torah. We baked bread, opened pomegranates from the sukkah —we hosted a farewell evening to the holiday of Sukkot.
The children were there (five children, 23 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren). My sister and her family were also with us, including her married daughters.
On the night of the holiday we went to sleep, and I had difficulty waking up. I got up at 9 a.m. and suddenly saw that the television was on. They told us that my grandson Yuval had been drafted, as well as my son-in-law. There was supposed to be a wedding that week, and in a single moment we moved from great joy in the home to tension and fear. My entire life was turned upside down.
What gave me strength to cope with this difficult period was volunteering. Every day I prepared food for soldiers and knitted them warm hats and scarves. It helped me tremendously.
Naftali Shmueli, age 91.5, born in Jerusalem, lives in Kibbutz Malkiya, evacuated to the Nof Kinneret Hotel | Interview and photography: Bracha Tor
70, born in Casablanca, Morocco.
Her home is in Shlomi. Evacuated to the Dan Mount Scopus Hotel, Jerusalem.
Interviewer: Nava Tal
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
Katzir / 88 / Born in Givat Michael, lives in Dafna / Evacuated to the Nof Kinneret Hotel |
Spiritual support and interviews: Bracha Tor / Photography: Sharon Levy
74 / Born in Argentina, lives in Kibbutz Manara / Evacuated to the Nof Kinneret Hotel |
Spiritual support and interviews: Bracha Tor / Photography: Sharon Levy
Sefi / 81 / Born in Iran, lives in Kibbutz Malkiya / 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
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
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
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
90, born in Yemen.
Her home is in Shlomi. Evacuated to the Dan Mount Scopus Hotel, Jerusalem.
Interviewer: Nava Tal
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
Age 93, born in Romania, immigrated to Israel in 1935, lives in Malkiya, evacuated to the Nof Kinneret Hotel.
Interview: Bracha Tor
Age 93, born in Romania, immigrated to Israel in 1935, lives in Malkiya, evacuated to the Nof Kinneret Hotel.
Interview: Bracha Tor
69, born in Morocco.
Her home is in Shlomi. Evacuated to the Dan Mount Scopus Hotel, Jerusalem.
Interviewer: Nava Tal
70, born in Israel.
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
79. Born in Bahrain. lives in Moshav Margaliot.
Evacuated to Hotel at Kibbutz Lavi.
Spiritual care and interviews: Bracha Tor. |
76, born in Tunisia.
Her home is in Shlomi. Evacuated to the Dan Mount Scopus Hotel, Jerusalem.
Interviewer: Nava Tal
70, born in Israel (Safed).
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
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
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