Two years after the Nova festival attack, a survivor joins the long list of lives forever changed
The Nova festival tragedy on October 7, 2023, did more than overwhelm a concert scene with terror. It tore apart families, friendships, and a hopeful sense of safety that should accompany a night of dancing and celebration. Roei Shalev, then 29, had been dancing with his girlfriend Mapal Adam and their close friend Hilly Solomon when Hamas militants opened fire. What followed was a series of events that would redefine grief for a nation and leave survivors grappling with trauma, loss, and a stubborn determination to keep their memories alive.
The night of fear and the moment of sacrifice
According to Roei, the trio tried to escape by car after the attack began, only to be confronted by chaos on the road as a desperate search for safety unfolded. A young woman, bloodied and frightened, warned them that gunmen were near. They found shelter under two abandoned cars, with Roei and Mapal hunkered beneath one and Hilly beneath the other. The sounds of bullets and grenades filled the night as they endured a harrowing moment of terror. Then the gunmen caught up, and a devastating exchange of violence occurred. Roei shielded Mapal from the bullets, but she died beneath him while he was shot in the back. Hilly, 26, was killed instantly as well.
Hours of suspense and a country in mourning
Roei’s account is marked by a prolonged, agonising stretch in which he lay beneath the wreckage, his girlfriend and friend lost, and his own life hanging in the balance. Seven hours passed before the Israeli army evacuated him. The personal toll extended beyond the battlefield: a week after the attack, Roei’s mother, Raffaela, took her own life, unable to bear the cascading losses. “In just one week, I lost three of the most important women to me in the world,” Roei later recalled. The weight of grief proved unyielding for months, with flashbacks, anxiety, and sleepless nights shaping a new normal crafted from pain and memory.
Finding a path forward through shared grief
In the subsequent months, Roei sought help through therapy and leaned on a supportive network that encouraged him to tell his story publicly. He described feeling a sense of purpose as strangers offered messages of solidarity and encouragement. A fundraising page for Nova festival survivors and their families became more than a plea for help; it became a platform for healing and recognition of ongoing trauma across the community. “We will dance again,” he wrote, a hopeful refrain that reflected something essential about resilience in the face of unspeakable loss.
Honoring Mapal and Hilly while rebuilding a life
Roei renamed his bakery in tribute to Mapal, rebranding it as “Mapal Cafe.” The gesture carried a message of devotion, turning memory into daily life and community service. He organized commemorative events to honor both Mapal and Hilly, balancing private sorrow with public remembrance. On anniversaries, he spoke openly about his ongoing pain, describing his longing for Mapal as “the pain does not pass with time,” yet insisting on a future in which joy could re-emerge alongside memory.
A final chapter and a communal call to support
Tragically, on the days following his emotional anniversary post, Roei Shalev’s life ended in a burning car near Netanya. Police opened an investigation, and his final messages suggested he felt unable to continue living with the weight of the loss. Friends remembered him as a warm, devoted member of the Nova community who quietly carried immense pain while offering strength to others. In the wake of his death, the Nova Tribe Community organization underscored the ongoing need to support survivors and bereaved families in dealing with the lasting impact of October 7.
What comes next for the Nova community
Roei’s story—of love, courage, and tragedy—serves as a stark reminder of the long shadow cast by terrorist acts on individuals and societies. The Nova community continues to advocate for mental health resources, memorialization, and sustained support for survivors and families. If you or someone you know is struggling with distress related to trauma, resources such as Samaritans (116 123) or local mental health services are available to provide confidential help in moments of crisis.
Note to readers
Names in this report reflect publicly shared accounts of the events and are used here to honor those affected. The family requests privacy as they navigate unimaginable loss. The Nova community remains committed to remembrance and to supporting those who carry the consequences of October 7 in their daily lives.
