Shani Koperverser

Itay Banjo and Shani, graduates of Leo Buck, found themselves sharing an apartment in Be'er Sheva for the duration of their studies at Ben Gurion University of the Negev. Shani graduated with a master's degree in economics, and Banjo graduated with a bachelor's degree in materials engineering. Together, they decided to go to the Nova music festival, and unfortunately, together they were murdered there on October 7th. As the terror attack began, Shani and Itay fled in a car along with two other friends. Unable to escape in the car, they moved to a bomb shelter where they were killed by Hamas hand grenades and a RPG round.

Doron Fessler, who was Shani's educator, shares: "Shani came to us at Camp Dvorkin, a smiling girl full of joy for life. Shani majored in psychology-sociology and was a hard-working, diligent student and very loved by her friends and teachers. Shani graduated from Ben Gurion University in Be'er Sheva with a master's degree in economics a few days before the terrible incident, and next week she was supposed to start a new job."

On the Ben Gurion University website they wrote about her: "Shani was the ray of light in the department and loved by all the faculty and students. She was hardworking, talented, ambitious and full of energy and joy of life, and easily overcame every difficulty and challenge - always with a smile. That was Shani, a ray of light with A huge, unforgettable smile."

Shani is survived by her parents Natan and Diana, her siblings Erez and Lotem and her boyfriend Ohad. She was buried on October 13 in Haifa.