A Mother's Strength: Remembering Ori Shani

Ori Shani, of blessed memory, would tell his soldiers every morning: "Do not trust the calm on the border. One day they'll break through the fences, and there will be a massacre in the kibbutzim." His widow, Miriam, recalls him often expressing frustration over the situation beyond the Gaza border, wary of the audacious Gazans approaching the fence without fear of repercussion. He constantly warned that the IDF was unprepared for a breach. As a platoon leader in the Golani Brigade, Ori prepared his soldiers for the worst long before the attack, and on that dreadful day, they functioned heroically, saving many lives. Ori and Miriam married at 21, only a year and a half before he fell, and were parents to Roy, who was just four months old. "Ori had a special magic, a light and a smile that captivated everyone," Miriam recalls. Despite his frequent absences due to military duty, Ori shared a unique bond with Roy. He would bathe and play with him whenever home, cherishing every moment, leading Miriam to compile an album of their precious photos together. Days before Simchat Torah, Ori asked Miriam to visit him near his base. They met at Kibbutz Kisufim, where the idyllic setting belied the storm about to hit. "Before leaving, Ori blessed Roy with the Birkat HaBanim. I regret not capturing it on camera, but it's a moment etched in my memory," Miriam shares. When news of trouble in the South broke on Simchat Torah, Miriam wasn't worried. "I was sure Ori was okay; he always inspired confidence," she says. But in reality, early that morning, Ori and five of his soldiers went on a routine patrol. Due to a missed command, they didn’t know about a warning against approaching the fence due to militant activity nearby. As mortar fire began just after sunrise, Ori and his men engaged immediately, splitting into teams to fight the oncoming tide. Miriam learned from his soldiers they originally celebrated each success, but quickly realized the scale was overwhelming—engaged continuously in relentless encounters, they managed to eliminate around 30 militants. Beyond the fight, Ori's care for his soldiers was evident. "Part of my role is to return your sons to their mothers safe," he’d tell them. After his death, Miriam discovered a selfie taken just before another battle ramped up. Smiling with his soldiers on Simchat Torah, Ori’s attempts to boost morale amid chaos reflect his leadership. Late afternoon, after nearly exhausting their ammunition, Ori led a return to base for resupply, demonstrating his adeptness in navigation. He even sent a soldier to buy soda from the vending machine—though it didn't work—to lift spirits. In the final match of destiny, Ori and a comrade were struck by a mortar attack. His last words, "Take cover," underline his protective nature. Afterwards, the family received recordings from Ori's communication devices, evidencing his determined leadership amid crises. Miriam reflects, "He always saw his soldiers as more than just fighters. He led with humility and genuine care." In coping with the loss, Miriam finds strength in their son Roy and unwavering faith. Each of Roy's milestones feels shared. "I believe in a bigger picture, and that we’re part of a wider, significant process," she explains. As Roy points to his father's photos proclaiming, "Daddy, hero," Miriam concludes with peace: "Once, Ori said, 'Goodness will prevail.' I hold onto that. We strive to carry on with dignity amid the pain, which I know Ori would want for us."