The day that changed everything
What began as a day of dancing and joy at the Nova festival on October 7, 2023, ended in unimaginable tragedy. Roei Shalev, 29, was dancing with his girlfriend Mapal Adam and their friend Hilly Solomon when rocket fire and Hamas gunmen shattered the night. In a desperate bid for safety, the trio fled in a car, only to be forced to dive for cover as bullets and explosions rained down. Mapal, 26, and Hilly, 26, were killed, and Roei was gravely wounded while trying to shield Mapal from the bullets. He survived the initial assault but lived through seven harrowing hours before the army found him alive, bloodied and motionless under a car.
Survival, trauma and a community in mourning
Roei’s life after the attack was marked by flashbacks, anxiety, and sleeplessness. In the months that followed, he found purpose in sharing his story publicly, aiding fundraising efforts for Nova festival survivors and their families. He wrote about the overwhelming outpouring of support and how it reminded him that there was still hope amid profound grief. Yet the pain never fully receded. He spoke of honouring Mapal and Hilly by keeping their memories alive through community events and a renamed family bakery, Mapal Cafe, named in tribute to his late partner.
Personal loss compounds public sorrow
The tragedy extended beyond Roei and his girlfriend: a week after Mapal and Hilly’s deaths, Roei’s mother, Raffaela, took her own life, unable to endure the cumulative pain. Roei later described his ache as a daily presence, a force that could never be truly endured but gradually transformed into a reason to continue with purpose and advocacy. He credited therapy and the solidarity of friends and strangers alike with helping him cope enough to share his story and to push for awareness about long-term trauma from mass violence.
From survivor to symbol of resilience
Across the two years since the attack, Roei’s life became a narrative of resilience amid grief. He used social media to document his journey, supported by a community of survivors who found strength in his honesty. “We will dance again,” he wrote in a fundraising post, a refrain that became a quiet slogan for the Nova community as they carried forward the memory of those lost.
The final chapter and ongoing questions
Tragedy struck again three days after Roei posted about his escalating pain, when he was found dead in a burning car near Poleg Beach in Netanya. Police opened an investigation, and investigators noted that Roei had left a note on Instagram indicating he could not go on. Friends described him as a warm, devoted member of the Nova community who quietly carried immense pain yet offered strength to others. The Nova Tribe Community organization called his death heartbreaking and a loss for all who remain affected by October 7.
Continuing the memory: support and reflection
As survivor narratives like Roei’s come to light, advocacy for mental health support for victims, survivors, and bereaved families remains critical. The Nova community urges ongoing awareness and sensitivity toward those affected by the October 7 events, emphasizing that trauma lingers and requires sustained care. If you or someone you know is struggling, professional support resources are available and should be accessed without hesitation.
