October 7: Heroism, Tragedy & Resilience

Israel’s War-Torn South

Travel through the communities and memorial sites of Israel’s south and hear the stories of October 7 from the places where they happened. Meet people who lived through the attacks, hear extraordinary stories of courage and sacrifice, and bear witness to the loss, heroism, and resilience of the Jewish people.

A Firsthand Perspective:
I was called up to Miluim on October 7 as part of an IDF Search & Rescue unit, tasked with recovering the fallen and bringing them home for burial. I spent multiple days working inside Kfar Aza and other areas that are not always accessible to visitors today, and throughout the tour I share some of what I personally witnessed and the stories that have stayed with me ever since.

Sderot — Gaza Lookout & October 7 Experience:
Look toward Gaza and understand the geography that shaped life along the border and the events of October 7. Continue to an immersive multimedia experience sharing real footage, testimony, and stories of survivors and heroes.

Tekuma — Burned Cars Memorial:
Bear witness to the massive collection of burned and destroyed vehicles recovered from the roads and communities attacked on October 7 — a haunting reminder of the scale of the attack.

Re’im — Nova Festival Memorial:
Stand at the site of the Nova Festival and hear the stories of those who were murdered, kidnapped, and rescued. Walk through the deeply personal memorial created by their families and friends.

Ofakim — Stories of Heroism:
Walk through neighborhoods attacked on October 7, see homes still marked by bullets and battle, and hear incredible stories of residents who fought to protect their families and neighbors. When possible, meet local family members and hear their stories firsthand.

“My husband, brother and sons ( ages 10,7,8) went on an amazing tiyul with a Arky over Chol Hamoed Succos. From beginning to end it was an incredible experience. Arky is so easy to talk to, super knowledgeable and lots of fun! He planned a great day tailored to our needs. The actual day was the highlight of my kids trip to Israel! They had an amazing day with lots of learning and fun!! I highly recommend Arky and we look forward to using him again the next time we are in Israel!” -Shira Malitsky