Mother of Eden Zacharia Hy"d: 'I Had to Thank the Soldier Who Found the Pit Where My Daughter Was Hidden'

"How are you able to care about people and encourage them when you yourself are going through such tough days?" Orin Gantz, the mother of Eden Zacharia Hy"d, has heard this question quite a lot lately.<\/p>

A few weeks ago, Eden's body was recovered from Gaza along with the bodies of four soldiers during a heroic operation by IDF soldiers. Despite being under this heavy trauma, Orin continues to visit the bereaved families, trying to offer them support.<\/p>

Orin is a coach by profession, and she knows one thing: "I have developed tools for dealing with life's challenges over the years. I never imagined I would use them in such a situation, but after realizing and seeing how much strength these tools give me personally, I feel a distinct privilege and obligation to share them with others".<\/p>

These tools are what gave her the strength to appear at the family home in Beit El last week, where they were sitting shiva for their son who fell in Gaza. "We learned that the brother of the fallen was the one who found the pit from which the bodies of Eden and the four soldiers were recovered. I felt compelled to come to console and also to express gratitude," she explains.<\/p>

Plans Cut Short

Tell us a bit about Eden...<\/p>

"Eden was a very talented woman," Orin recalls. "She was a saleswoman for a water company and was considered a professional and valued employee. Despite her success, she always complimented others, creating a large circle of friends who all loved her dearly. I was also very close to her," she adds. "We were best friends; it was reciprocal for both of us. Now, I feel like I've lost not only a first-born daughter but also a friend".<\/p>

Orin also notes that Eden had many plans. "She enrolled in studies with the intention of learning digital marketing. She had a partner, and they planned to live together. She had so many dreams she wanted to fulfill".<\/p>

The nightmare began on the morning of Simchat Torah when Eden was on her way home from a party in Re'im. Orin recounts: "I spoke with Eden around seven in the morning. Our conversation was normal and indifferent, without any fear. Eden told me she was on her way home from the south, which surprised me because she didn't plan to attend that party. Later, she mentioned rockets, and we talked nonchalantly about her pulling over if necessary. At some point, she said, 'Dad is calling,' and hung up. Only later I heard from him that when she answered the call, she started screaming: 'They're shooting at us!' And that's what he heard".<\/p>

For 17 days, Eden was declared missing, and her mother describes this period as the hardest imaginable. "We heard testimonies that Eden was shot during her ride, and we feared she was no longer alive, but she was nowhere to be found. This is why after 17 days, when we were informed that Eden was kidnapped, the change was actually positive, and it was the best news we could receive".<\/p>

The World Stopped<\/h3>

During the long period in which they hadn't been updated that Eden was kidnapped to Gaza, her mother mentions they maintained close contact with the hostage headquarters. "We quickly bonded with the families and joined the struggle. We felt it was our duty during those days, even if it wasn't clear if Eden was part of this group. Of course, once we were updated that she was in Gaza, the struggle intensified further".<\/p>

You spent almost two months knowing your eldest daughter was kidnapped. How do you cope during such a period?<\/p>

"You could say our whole world stopped, and the only thing we focused on was negotiating for Eden's and the other hostages' return. Even though we knew she was injured, we had great hope she would return alive, which gave us tremendous strength to continue acting on all possible fronts. During those days, we left everything aside and fully engaged in activities for Eden. But I want to emphasize, this was never out of depression or self-pity, but from clear and unequivocal belief that Eden would return alive. Incidentally, I also want to stress that even now, I don't live with the feeling that my life is black and terrible. I just know I've experienced a great and terrible disaster, but I will recover from it".<\/p>

The hard notice that Eden's body was found in Gaza, alongside the bodies of Warrant Officer Ziv Dado, Sergeant Ron Sherman, Corporeal Nick Bizer, and Elia Toledano, came to Orin about two months after the war broke out. The five hostages were found in a Hamas underground tunnel in Jabaliya.<\/p>

Did the news surprise you?<\/p>

"Honestly, we were very surprised. For two months, I kept asking myself: 'When will the knock on the door come?' and it never came. After two months, I was almost certain it wouldn't arrive, and when it finally did, it found me stunned. In the moments we were given the hard news, I felt my heart shatter into pieces. Words cannot describe the sorrow we felt. However, as time passes, I've learned to also see the good things and be grateful for them. I am grateful that Eden came back home and didn't remain in Gaza. I am grateful that her body returned intact and wasn't desecrated. She returned to us exactly in the same clothes she wore to the party, pure and whole. At least she did not suffer. It's impossible not to see the points of light within the darkness".<\/p>

 

Strengthening and Being Strengthened<\/strong><\/h3>

The approach of seeing the good and finding tools to deal with life's challenges was developed by Orin years ago and she shares it with people training with her. Now, she intends to continue spreading this approach and even name it in memory of Eden to immortalize her.<\/p>

"Although I faced the loss, the truth is we all deal with our own challenges. These can be eating disorders, PTSD, hypersensitivity, or anything else. From my own pain, I feel a true mission to support people, which is why I am slowly starting to return to lecturing and coaching since today we all need so much strength".<\/p>

Do you feel the tools you acquired in the past truly helped during your personal struggle?<\/p>

"I believe I've proven very unequivocally to myself how effective these things are, but I also want to emphasize: learning to cope with difficulty and continuing life doesn’t mean the pain disappears or is negated. Instead, it allows us to take it and channel it elsewhere, to move forward, choose goodness, and not sit idly by".<\/p>

Do you believe there will come a day when you return to happy and full life?<\/p>"I am sure I will find joy again since there are already happy moments in my life, and I am grateful for them. But I am not certain I will return to a full life. Before the tragedy, I was the mother of two children – Eden and Guy, motherhood was my essence, and now, after half was taken from me, it is hard to know how life will become full again. Meanwhile, I fill myself with giving and supporting others. When people ask me how I have the strength to help and encourage, I reply that I do it not only for the people I meet but also for myself. I feel and believe this is the way back to life's path, to choose goodness, and continue looking ahead, despite everything we've been through". <\/span><\/div>