Golan-Hogeg family
On the morning of Simchat Torah, Cindy and Igal Flash retreated to their safe room. For hours, they exchanged messages with their three daughters, clinging to hope that IDF forces had reached the kibbutz. Around 5 p.m., more than ten hours after the assault began, terrorists stormed their home and murdered them
Cindy and Igal Flash (Photo: Private Album)
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Cindy (67) was born in the U.S to a Christian family. In 1979, she came to Israel to volunteer at Kibbutz Nir Am, where she met Igal Flash (66). She later converted to Judaism, and the two married and started a life together. In 2001, they moved to Kibbutz Kfar Aza with their three daughters—Maayan, Tali, and Keren. Over the past year, Cindy completed her 21-year tenure as the administrative coordinator of the Department of Public Policy at Sapir College and retired. Igal was a distinguished agronomist, widely recognized for his expertise in field crops, particularly cotton. On Saturday morning, as rocket alarms echo through the kibbutz, Cindy and Igal take shelter in their safe room with their dog, Tootsie. Cindy sends a message to her daughter Keren, who also lives in the Kibbutz with her husband, Avidor Schwartzman, and their baby daughter
Tali, the middle daughter, lives in the United States. When she hears about the unfolding events in Israel, she tries to reach her parents. Igal messages her: “There’s a terrorist infiltration across the southern and the Gaza border regions.” A few minutes later, Cindy writes: “The army is already here, so that should help”
Avidor Schwartzman, Keren’s husband, goes live on Kan 11. He reports that he and his family are sheltering in their safe room as the sounds of gunfire echo nearby
Cindy tries to keep herself occupied in the safe room by playing The New York Times' Spelling Bee word puzzle. At 12:45 p.m., she messages Keren on WhatsApp, asking if she has found the correct word in the game. Keren replies, “Do you really think I’m doing that right now? Who could?” Cindy responds, “I’m forcing myself—just trying to stay sane”
Keren reaches out to see how her mother is coping, and Cindy replies, “There are soldiers nearby—it’s encouraging.” Realizing the scale of the tragedy unfolding in the kibbutz, Keren writes, “The kibbutz will be in mourning for a very long time”
The power cuts out in both family homes for several minutes before returning. Keren, Cindy, and Igal continue to exchange messages. Igal sends a photo of Cindy lying protectively over their dog, Tootsie, in the safe room
Terrorists break into Cindy and Igal’s home, storm the safe room, and shoot them dead. Cindy and Igal are the last civilians murdered in Kibbutz Kfar Aza on October 7. Although the exact circumstances of their deaths remain unknown, Cindy and Igal's family recounts seeing bloodstains on the wall, the floor, and their granddaughter’s crib inside the safe room. Tootsie, their dog, has been missing since the attack
Keren messages her parents, pleading, “Are you okay? Please answer me.” But no response follows
Keren, Avidor, and their baby daughter are rescued from the kibbutz. A few hours later, they are evacuated to Moshav Hodayah
Cindy and Igal’s children go to the police station in Herzliya to report that their parents are missing. Keren and her sister give DNA samples to aid the search efforts
A resident of the kibbutz informs Keren and Avidor that Cindy and Igal have been murdered. He had learned the news from a member of the security forces who fought in Kfar Aza. The next day, the family is officially notified by the authorities
The funeral of Cindy and Igal Flash is held at the cemetery in Kibbutz Shefayim, where the majority of evacuated residents from their kibbutz found refuge
המתחם האינטראקטיבי של מפת העוטף ב-7 באוקטובר 2023 נועד לתעד ולהנציח את האירועים שהתרחשו ביישובי עוטף עזה באמצעות תיעודים מזמן אמת, דקה אחר דקה.
הפרויקט בהליכי בנייה ותחקיר, בשלבים הבאים יתווספו נקודות רבות על המפה, לרבות בסיסי צה”ל, הרחבת אזורי המסיבות והדרכים המובילות לעוטף.
לפרטים נוספים וליצירת קשר לחצו כאן
אזהרה: התוכן מכיל תיאורים ותיעודים קשים לצפייה