On October 7, 2024, Tel Aviv University held a solemn commemoration for the tragic events of October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched brutal attacks that left around 1,200 civilians dead and many others injured and traumatize, impacting Israel for years to come.

The event began at Smolarz Auditorium with an installation honoring TAU’s fallen members, displaying their names, pictures and affiliation with the university.

Reflecting on the installation honoring the 96 fallen members of the TAU community.

The ceremony commenced with the lowering of the flag and a moment of silence. Wreaths were laid, including one by Professor Meir Ariel from the School of Electrical Engineering at Tel Aviv University, who tragically lost his son, Dan Ariel, during the attacks at the Nova Festival.

Meir Ariel, standing over the wreath he laid for his son, Dan Ariel RIP.

In his speech, TAU President Prof. Ariel Porat reflected on the profound loss experienced by the university community: “Tel Aviv University has lost 19 of its students. Ninety-six families from the TAU community have lost immediate family members. Many more suffer physical or psychological harm. In the coming academic year, we will receive—with great awe—many students who have risked their lives so that we may live… We will do everything we can to help them, so that they can successfully study and complete the academic year. We are forever indebted to them for their courage and sacrifice”.

Daniel Zilber, head of the Tel Aviv University Student Union, spoke about the significance of this day: “Today is not just a day of remembrance; it is a day of outcry. We’re living in an absurd situation of trying to combine our civic lives with the reality of war. For us, today is not about the past; it is still the present. We’re not just remembering those who have fallen—we’re still trying to fulfill their legacy. We will commemorate them later”.

During the ceremony, friends and family members shared their memories of loved ones who were lost. Gal Itzkovitz, a student in the Social Sciences department, spoke about her dear friend Bruna Valeanu, a victim of the Nova Festival tragedy.

“I miss her terribly. She’s greatly missed at the university, in my life, and in the lives of everyone who crossed paths with her” – Gal Itzkovitz.

Gal Itzkovitz speaking about her friend, Bruna Valeanu RIP.

Itai Silber, father of Yuval Zilber, a TAU student who was killed in combat described Yuval as a compassionate leader who dedicated his life to helping others, from establishing a Scouts chapter to empowering local youth through education, all while pursuing his dream of serving as a commander in the IDF before his tragic death.

“Yuval taught me so much. I chose life. I ask everyone to choose life. Choose life with love, and ‘love thy neighbour as yourself,’ because that is the central thing” – Itai Silber.

The ceremony included the reading of the names of 96 fallen members of the Tel Aviv University community, followed by a heartfelt message from Gil Leor, a medical student and PhD candidate. He expressed solidarity with those serving in the field and their families: “I want to send strength and encouragement to our soldiers in the field and on the home front, to all the university’s reservists—students, faculty, and staff—who don’t know when or how they’ll be called back. Let’s continue to support them and their families until this war is behind us. Thank you”.

Students reading the names of the fallen members of TAU.

The event concluded with a moment of silence, counting up to 101 to acknowledge the 101 hostages who remain in Gaza.

Ending the ceremony with Shirat Hatikva.

In addition to the commemoration, the Steinhardt Museum of Natural History at Tel Aviv University hosted the “Testimony 710” project, inviting the community to engage with personal stories from the tragic events of October 7, 2023. Attendees participated in a moving screening of survivor testimonies, gaining insight into the experiences of those affected by the attack.

For full speeches and detailed coverage of the ceremony, click here.