"I Illustrated the Faces of the Murdered: A Mission of Comfort to the Bereaved Families"

"You have no idea what it does to the heart, seeing his face and feeling he's still here, and always will be." These were some of the words of thanks written by the cousin of Amitai Malihi, may he rest in peace, murdered in Reim. Like her, many grieving families first saw a woman at the shiva who didn't know them personally but came slightly embarrassed yet with deep courage to contribute her part and comfort the mourners of Zion, whose loved ones were murdered sanctifying Hashem's name in this terrible war.

Since the war outbreak, photographer and illustrator Hadar Rofeh, like many mothers, found herself busy raising her children at home while grappling with the greatest and most painful crisis the Jewish people faced since the Holocaust. Like many in Israel, who aren't fighting at the frontlines and lack weapons, Hadar thought about what she could do in her capacity to help, drawing on her God-given talents.

"I have a great love for Rosh HaAyin, the city of my childhood. I felt pain and wept when death knocked on the city's gates: heroic soldiers at the front and innocent civilians in Reim were killed. I didn't know any personally, but in my soul, they felt like my siblings, and I pondered what might bring some solace to their families," Hadar tells us.

Thus, she began sitting at her computer, illustrating digitally smiling faces of her town's fallen. "I printed the works, bought frames, and went to the mourners' homes throughout the city. In one of the mourners' tents, the victim's mother embraced me as she cried deeply, and I found myself hugging her back, in tears. It felt like these illustrations gave the families a sense that someone else in Israel cared about them." Thus, Hadar added more light to the unity of the Israeli people. After returning from several comfort visits, Hadar realized this light must grow stronger.

"After returning from comforting seven heroes I didn't even know personally, I disconnected for a few hours from the news and social media, put the kids to bed, and thought a lot. The next day at noon, I sat with my husband Alon and told him I wanted to do more. I want to reach more people and offer this comfort to more families."

Beyond being a photographer and illustrator, Hadar is also known for initiating social projects, and thus the project materialized. More illustrators joined this sacred work of memorializing the victims, and everyone calls out from the depths of their hearts for the families of those murdered across the country to reach out to them for a portrait of their loved ones, with love and, of course, at no cost.

Additionally, Hadar and her team are calling for more illustrators to join their ranks to manage the overwhelming number of fallen Israeli heroes.

Families of those murdered and illustrators wishing to join the project should contact the following email address: Rememberoct23@gmail.com