On October 7th, 2023, Israel suffered the deadliest single day in its history. Entire communities were devastated, families torn apart, and soldiers and civilians alike gave their lives defending the country.

Nearly two years later, as Israel enters a fragile new chapter following the recently signed hostage–ceasefire deal, the task of remembering, rebuilding, and healing remains as urgent as ever. The agreement—securing the return of hostages in exchange for prisoners, a partial withdrawal, and a ceasefire—has brought renewed hope to many families and underscored Israel’s enduring struggle for security and peace.

University of Haifa invites you to a special National Remembrance Day webinar featuring Izhar Shay, former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, entrepreneur, and leader in Israel’s high-tech industry. Shay will share the deeply personal story of his son, Sergeant Yaron Uri Shay z”l, a combat soldier who was killed heroically defending Kerem Shalom on October 7th. In the wake of this loss, he founded the “Next October” Initiative to honor fallen soldiers and foster resilience and hope across Israeli society.

The conversation will be joined by Adv. Dov Weissglass, Chair of the University of Haifa Executive Committee and former senior advisor to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, and Prof. Gur Alroey, President of University of Haifa and leading historian of Jewish history and Zionism.

Together, they will explore:

• The inspiring story of a father’s loss and how it became a call to resilience and hope
• What collective healing looks like two years on from October 7th—and in the wake of the new hostage–ceasefire deal
• What hope looks like for Israel’s future generations
• How Israelis and the University of Haifa community are honoring memory while rebuilding lives