The Voices of The Bridge
The heart of this journey
At the center of The Bridge are ten extraordinary young Israelis whose lives were forever changed by the events of October 7.
Each carries a unique story of survival, resilience, heartbreak, courage, and hope.
Through music, connection, and shared experience, these remarkable individuals became the emotional heart of The Bridge.
This page is dedicated to their voices.
Featured Participants From The Film
Yaniv Avitan
Kibbutz Zikim · 48
Retired detective from Kibbutz Zikim who joined the rapid response team on October 7. Father of three; runs a printing business on the kibbutz. A drummer since childhood.
October 7th Experience: I was at home with my family. We were part of the rapid response team, and I went out with my soldier son to protect the entrance to the kibbutz. Fortunately, there were no terrorist infiltrations on that side. Tragically, several of my son’s friends in 12th grade were murdered on Zikim Beach.
Raz Shifer
Ramat Gan · 27
Actress and high-tech professional from Ramat Gan who survived the Nova festival. Lost close friends who were kidnapped and murdered. Plays guitar and sings.
The Impact: “I hardly left my house for five months following the Nova music festival, and then this delegation came and brought the air back to my lungs and, with it, my sense of security. I felt enormously proud to share my story of October 7th, which I had not done before. The most amazing thing was when I realized that I’m not alone and that a lot of people want to process this trauma with me. I met amazing people and felt loved, thanks to the power of music.”
Dov Engel
Neve Daniel · 38
From Neve Daniel, fought the morning of October 8th and was injured in the leg. Carrying the impact of that day through music and rebuilding.
October 7th Experience: “Arrived in the south on October 8th and engaged in several hours of fighting in Moshav Patish’s area. Unfortunately, I was injured during the operation, tearing a tendon in my leg. After surgery, I am currently undergoing rehabilitation and using crutches.
Bar Rudaeff
Tel Aviv · 27
Son of Lior Rudaif, who was kidnapped and held hostage by Hamas terrorists, and brother of a Nova festival survivor. Former fighter and officer in the Jordanian Lions Battalion. Before the war, I chose to pursue music full-time as a guitarist and singer.
October 7th Experience: I was at my Tel Aviv apartment, anxiously trying to reach my father, a volunteer for Magen David Adom, who left to help and got injured. His fate is uncertain and assumed kidnapped and taken hostage. Simultaneously, updates from my mother informed me that my brother is at the Nova music festival. Luckily, he managed to escape.
Valeria Dvorkin
Nir Am · 25
From Nir Am, sheltered in a safe room during the attack. Lost friends who were killed and taken hostage. Carries their memory forward through music.
October 7th Experience: I was at home in Nir Am (I live alone) and heard the fighting around me, just 50 meters from my house. I stayed in the safe room where there was no reception, so didn’t fully grasp the magnitude of the event. It was only the next day that I realized I had to leave and drove alone to my parents’ house. Many of my friends and colleagues, were either killed or taken hostage to Gaza.
Ben King
Kibbutz Be’eri · 52
From Kibbutz Be'eri, hid in a safe room while his house was set on fire before being evacuated. Lost his studio and instruments but continues making music.
October 7th Experience: At home in kibbutz Be’eri with my wife, we hid in the safe room, and I guarded the door handle. Terrorists entered our apartment and set it on fire. Our children, living on the other side of the kibbutz, communicated with us via WhatsApp, SO we knew to stay put. We endured the smoke and heat inside the safe room until our rescue at 7pm.
David Klein
Kibbutz Yad Mordechai · 46
Musicologist from Kibbutz Yad Mordechai who was evacuated to a hotel with his family. His kibbutz was warned early, saving lives. Performs and lectures on music.
October 7th Experience: My family and I were at home, and we stayed in the safe room until being evacuated to a hotel in Hedera the next day. Our kibbutz was spared damage due to a timely warning from the security officer, allowing us to prepare. Despite the noise of rockets and shootings, we only grasped the full magnitude of the event in the evening.
Yakir Uzan
Moshav Yevul · 37
Drummer from Moshav Yevul who sheltered in a safe room at Kibbutz Re'im on October 7. Lost his brother-in-law in the attack.
October 7th Experience: I grew up in Kibbutz Re’im and lived in Moshav Yevul. On that Shabbat, we were staying with my family. We were hiding in the safe room. The house is in the first line of houses, so we were forced to listen to the tragic noise of family and friends being murdered. My brother-in-law was among the victims. It’s emotionally challenging for me to talk about this event.
Tuval Haim
Kibbutz Gvulot · 31
From Kibbutz Gvulot; his brother Yotam was kidnapped from Nova and killed. Works in the music industry, plays guitar and drums, carrying his brother's memory through music.
October 7th Experience: On the day, I was confronted with the news of my brother being kidnapped to Gaza. Yotam was later killed in a tragic event in Gaza, along with two more hostages. I’m deeply attached to the idea of sharing my brother’s life story with the world.
Sagi Arad
Kibbutz Magen · 40
From Kibbutz Magen, fought with the rapid response team to defend his kibbutz on October 7. Works in youth education and sets up music rooms for young people.
October 7th Experience: I fought alongside the rapid response team on that day to block terrorists’ entry into the kibbutz. Despite the challenges, we successfully defended our community.
The Bridge Experience is a Global Communal Experience of Remembrance, Healing & Unity Bridging Communities. Honoring Memory. Inspiring Hope.
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