This morning (Monday), Reichman University held its annual Memorial Day (Yom Hazikaron) ceremony for Israel’s fallen soldiers and victims of terror, in collaboration with the Student Union and in the presence of bereaved families, members of the university community, and guests.
This year, the Yizkor memorial prayer was recited by Matan Angrest, a former hostage and armored corps soldier who had been stationed at the Nahal Oz military outpost. He was wounded and taken hostage during the battles of October 7 and lost his fellow tank crew members while defending the military base and the Gaza border communities. In October 2025, Angrest was released after nearly two years of captivity. His participation in the ceremony embodied the connection between remembrance and resilience, reflecting both the pain of loss and the hope for renewal in the aftermath of profound trauma.
The Kaddish prayer was recited by Omri Shtivi, brother of Idan Shtivi, z”l, a Reichman University undergraduate in sustainability and government who was murdered and abducted during the events of October 7, and whose remains were returned to Israel for burial two years later.
Larisa Gitarts, mother of Staff Sgt. (Res.) Joseph Gitarts, z”l, a computer science student at the Raphael Recanati International School, addressed the ceremony on behalf of the bereaved families. Joseph, who served in the armored corps and fell in battle during the Swords of Iron War, left a letter to his family, from which his mother read:
“I came to this decision by myself and stuck with it until the end. I could have chosen not to come here, but that would have gone against everything I believe in and value, and who I consider myself to be. I would do the same if I could choose again. I fell proudly for the sake of my people - I have no regrets.”
Menashe Ram, father of Omri Ram, z”l, an economics and business administration student who was murdered at the Nova festival in Re’im on October 7, read a poem written by his son.
Also speaking at the ceremony was Omer Biran, a psychology student and brother of Capt. Reei Biran, z”l, who fell in the Swords of Iron War. He shared reflections on his life as a reservist soldier and a bereaved brother.
Delivering remarks, Reichman University President Prof. Boaz Ganor said: “From its very inception, Reichman University has defined itself as a Zionist institution. Throughout the years, we have emphasized our students’ mission to physically defend the existence of the State of Israel and its values. Sadly, since October 7, our community has suffered painful losses. We have lost nineteen of our finest - our students and alumni - and many others have been wounded, in body and in spirit. May the memory of the fallen be a blessing.”
This year’s ceremony sought to reflect the complexity of Israel’s current reality - poised between the pain of loss and the commitment to life, remembrance, and mutual responsibility. The ceremony concluded with a prayer for the safe return of IDF soldiers and security forces, and for the full recovery and rehabilitation of all those wounded.