October 7th Herstory : Honoring the Voices of Women in the Face of War
'October 7th Herstory' is a social initiative by the Eden Association, dedicated to preserving the stories of women who experienced the events of October 7, 2023, and the "Iron Swords" War. These women faced existential threats, took part in combat, or carried vital roles in national and civilian efforts. Their stories of resilience and survival are an essential part of Israel's history and deserve to be remembered.
After October 7, many women expressed a desire to share their stories, fearing they might forget the small but meaningful details. In response, we traveled across the country, documenting over 60 women as they courageously recounted their experiences.
The archive of testimonies and the exhibitions followed it, serve as both a historical record and a tool for healing. Recording their stories gives each woman a sense of ownership and a way to revisit her journey. Sharing their experiences is also a step in processing trauma, offering empowerment and acknowledgment.
The testimonies are available on our YouTube channel and were broadcast on Israeli national television to mark one year since October 7. We remain dedicated to documenting and supporting these women, ensuring their voices are heard, remembered, and honored for years to come.
Tamar Levitan from kibbutz Nahal Oz celebrated her 85th birthday with her family, amongst them, her daughter and granddaughter who came for a visit from the US. A few days later, on October 7th, 12 of her family members were kidnapped or murmured by Hamas. This is a story of a woman-mother-grandmother who will do anything to bring her loved ones back home.
Eden Handelman Serphos used to visit her family at Kibbutz Sufa together with her husband and their two young daughters. The kibbutz, a backdrop of her childhood, was a loving and comforting place where her daughters would run freely and feel the safest in the world. On the weekend of October 7th, they came for another visit, but this time, instead of running on the lawns, they awoke to the horror unfolding both outside and within.
Dorin Cohen, along with her husband Itamar and their two children, Adam and the baby Yonatan, were looking forward to the festive weekend of Simchat Torah, as they planned to participate in the famous kite event held by the Kotz family in Kfar Gaza. They did not foresee the tragic turn of events that occurred on the morning of October 7th. In a horrific twist of fate, terrorists stormed their beloved home, burning it down while the family remained trapped inside. Dorin's painful story about the moments of horror in their home shelter, and the constant thoughts about her friend Doron Steinbracher who is in captivity and how much she waits and prays for her return.
Einav Mor and her husband Amir visited Amir's family in Nahal Oz for the holiday. For Einav, the Gaza border area had never been a safe place to stay despite the charm of the kibbutz and the community. On October 7th, when terrorists attacked the kibbutz, all her fears have come true.
Sivan Oved, who grew up in the city of Sderot, a place she holds dear, later moved with her family to Kibbutz Ruhama in the Sha'ar HaNegev Regional Council. On the evening of the Simhat Torah holiday, Sivan and her baby Michael stayed overnight in Sderot for the first time since his birth. On Saturday, October 7, 2024, they awoke to sounds of explosions and sirens like she had never experienced before. With courage and openness, Sivan recounts the long hours spent in the bomb shelter, the evacuation of her family from Sderot, and how that fateful day continues to affect her to this day.