Shahak Madar

Shahak, from Dimona, was a student at Ben-Gurion University studying hospitality and tourism. He was gunned down while trying to escape the Nova festival.

Months later his parents returned to the scene accompanied by the families of many other victims in order to plant eucalyptus trees in remembrance. His parents were interviewed after planting the tree and said, “Today, we came to plant a tree in his memory, hoping to see the tree, strong and flourishing, take root in the ground.” The act of tree planting marks an annual custom observed during Tu Bishvat (Jewish holiday). Within Jewish literature, trees commonly represent vitality and resilience.