Our hearts are damaged. We’re overcome with grief on the tragic deaths of Ron Shemer and Ilay Nachman, two members of the MyHeritage worker household. Ron and Ilay had been murdered within the early morning of October 7, 2023 whereas individually attending the Nova music competition, on the onset of the Hamas assault on Israel. Ron was 23 years outdated, and Ilay was nearly 24.
Ron (left) and Ilay (proper), at a workers coaching day to arrange to work at a Jewish summer time camp within the U.S.
Ron and Ilay had been valued workers of MyHeritage’s COVID-19 lab in Israel. These two younger males stepped as much as be part of MyHeritage’s greatest humanitarian endeavor so far, and had been on the forefront of defeating the COVID-19 pandemic. Ron and Ilay had been beloved and revered by all who knew them, and to honor their reminiscence, we’re providing the MyHeritage group a window into the lives of two distinctive males who will without end stay younger.
To grasp the context of their deaths, listed below are two articles from CNN that describe the assault on the Nova music competition, during which at the least 260 civilians had been murdered: Nova Music Festival: How a rave turned into a frenzied massacre and Dashcam shows Hamas gunman shooting freely during music festival. Set off warning: the hyperlinks include graphic footage.
Remembering Ron Shemer
Ron was one of many first workers on the MyHeritage Lab, and rather more: for the 2 years he labored there, he was its coronary heart and soul. Ask anybody who knew him what they beloved most about Ron, and so they’ll let you know it was his optimistic vitality. He had a magnetic persona and radiated optimism. Among the many many recollections our crew has shared, many recall that there was not even one time when he was upset or offended. Ron had a zest for all times and was pleased spreading pleasure to others.
Ron (left) at a birthday celebration on the MyHeritage Lab
Ron was affectionately generally known as “Jachnun” by his colleagues, because of his love of the normal Yemenite dish by the identical identify. He’d go to his grandmother on weekends, eat her well-known jachnun, and produce extras to his subsequent shift for his mates on the lab.
Ron (left) and Or Sasson (proper), pretending to open a jachnun bar on the MyHeritage Lab. Ron and Or had been greatest mates since childhood and joined the lab collectively
Ron’s easygoing nature was a ray of sunshine in the course of the darkest days of the pandemic, boosting the morale of the crew, shift after shift, as they labored their means via tens of 1000’s of check samples. Ron was a real chief: type, empathetic, and at all times prepared to go the additional mile. He made time for everybody, listened with intent, and celebrated their achievements. As Ron’s mom Sigal says, “His mates had been his complete world.”
MyHeritage Lab workers on a crew day trip (click on to zoom)
Ron and his fellow crew members
Ron attended the music competition with mates from residence and mates he met whereas touring the world after the military.
He lived in Lod, in central Israel, and deliberate to check biotechnology in college. Ron is survived by his dad and mom, Sigal and Oren, his youthful brother, Bari, and his girlfriend, Yuval.
Ron (proper) together with his dad and mom and brother
Remembering Ilay Nachman
Ilay is remembered as kindhearted, charming, and empathetic. You possibly can discuss to him about something and he’d pay attention intently, fully invested in each phrase. Ilay’s perspective on life appeared far past his younger age; he knew methods to let the little issues go and give attention to what’s necessary. Our crew remembers his heat smile and his humorousness. Whereas he solely labored on the lab for a number of months, it was clear from day one which he was somebody you would at all times rely on.
His uncle, Ran Erhard, describes him as a beautiful, delicate, and humble individual. Ilay beloved to surf and was trying ahead to beginning college, the place he deliberate to check enterprise and entrepreneurship. He was a number of weeks away from celebrating his twenty fourth birthday. As an alternative, he was buried on October 12.
Ilay Nachman was the eldest son, grandson, and great-grandson, and beloved older brother to Ravid. To Goni Erhard, his first cousin, Ilay was like an enormous brother. Their household is shattered over his dying: “I noticed my grandfather cry for the primary time. His first grandchild, his pleasure and pleasure, was murdered.” As an alternative of trying ahead to what the long run holds collectively, Arbel, Ilay’s girlfriend of 6.5 years and his highschool sweetheart, should now face it with out him.
Ilay (proper) and his cousin Goni (left)
Ilay attended the Nova competition with a gaggle of mates. When the assault started, he took cowl with a number of others. Understanding they had been cornered, Ilay tried to cease the terrorists together with his naked palms. It comes as no shock to those that knew him that Ilay’s last act was certainly one of heroism. In doing so, he saved the lives of three ladies.
Ron and Ilay had been two younger males stuffed with hopes and goals whose lives had been brutally minimize brief. Our crew continues to be processing the shock of their deaths. They had been outstanding individuals, the salt of the earth, who made a optimistic affect on everybody they met. It was a privilege to know them.
Ron and Ilay had been two among the many many stunning souls whose lights had been extinguished on October 7. Their family members have paid a horrible worth. We now have all paid a horrible worth. Our hearts exit to all of the victims and their households.
Might Ron, Ilay, and all of the victims’ recollections be a blessing.
Replace from the MyHeritage crew
Our workers in Israel have been inundated with messages of affection, prayers, and concern from MyHeritage mates and customers world wide who’ve checked in to make sure that we and our households in Israel are secure.
Our workers and their households are at the moment secure and accounted for, and we’re doing our utmost to supply all with the emotional, bodily, and materials help wanted throughout these horrible occasions. Whereas we’re heartbroken and traumatized, even amid our grief and the necessity to take care of our personal households, our colleagues have discovered numerous methods to volunteer and do good for the nation. That is the true spirit of MyHeritage.
We’re deeply grateful to your prayers, good needs, and sympathy.
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