כותבים חיים

A memorial project for those who fell and were murdered in the Swords of Iron War.

About Us

On October 7, 2023, our world was shattered.
Nothing remained the same.

As the shockwaves of horror, grief, and unbearable loss spread across Israel, something extraordinary happened: From the deepest pain, a movement was born.

Life.Story is a volunteer-driven initiative committed to preserving the life stories of those murdered and fallen in the Iron Swords War.
We create lasting, personal memorial books that honor the memory, values, and light of each individual – stories that must never be forgotten.

Behind this project stands a powerful network of over 500 volunteers: writers, editors, designers, illustrators, researchers, and project managers – all united by one mission:
to give voice and eternal life to the murdered victims and shed light on the darkness.

The initiative was founded by Dana Naomi Ben-Shlomi, a writer and literary editor who, just one week after the war began, sat shiva with the family of Major Tal Grushka z”l, commander in the 931st Battalion of the Nahal Brigade.
That visit lit a spark – and became the start of a national mission.

By January 7, 2025, The Writing Lives Association was formally registered – and today, hundreds of families across Israel have already received deeply moving memorial books, created with care, sensitivity, and love.

But the work is far from over.
Dozens more families are still waiting.

With your support, we can reach them all.

We are building Israel’s new national library of memory.
A living archive of humanity, resilience, and light – written one story at a time.

No one will be forgotten.

Founder’s Story

Dana Naomi Ben-Shlomi — Founder, Life.Story

In the second week of the war, Dana Naomi Ben-Shlomi sat with the grieving family of Major Tal Grushka z”l.
His mother, Edva, embraced her and said something Dana will never forget:
“There are no words. The Hebrew language has failed us.”

That sentence struck a chord and ignited a calling.

Dana, a professional writer and editor who has spent years helping people tell their life stories, realized that while words may not erase pain, they can help carry it.
They can build a bridge between memory and meaning.
The very next day, she published two Facebook posts:
one inviting bereaved families to share their stories, and another calling for volunteers.

Within hours, over 150 professionals volunteered and joined the project.
Today, the number has grown to more than 500 volunteers.

Together, they created an elegant and deeply human system:
from the moment a family registers, they are supported through every stage of the process until they hold a book in their hands that brings their loved one’s memory to life.

These aren’t just biographies.
They are books of light – books that heal, uplift, and endure.
Children’s books, graphic novels, poetic tributes, full-length memoirs – each tailored to tell one individual’s story in the most authentic, loving, and lasting way possible.

“I knew this kind of writing could help families breathe again,” Dana says.
“But what I didn’t expect was how much light it would bring to all of us.
This isn’t just storytelling – it’s rebuilding the soul of a nation.”

Interested in memorializing your loved one through a book?

Interested in contributing to the project through writing, editing, design, layout, or proofreading?

Families Are Sharing

These are not just books.
They are healing journeys.
They are lifelines to memory.
They are what remain - and what endures.

"Ido fell on my birthday, I was six months pregnant, Three months later, our son was born. I knew I would do everything to ensure Eitan would grow up with a memory full of light. This children’s book became that light. A story of love, strength, and the power to choose goodness - even in the darkest hour."

"The writing process was amazing; the fact that the book was written in the first year contributed to our processing of the terrible loss. The patience of the writer and the entire team, their willingness to accompany us, to allow us to speak and process, is part of the processing and healing journey. To see a book that is entirely Omri and about those who loved him is completely part of the long healing journey that still awaits us. I would especially like to mention Rivi, the writer, who researched the details for us and strived for authenticity, just as was important to us. Thank you for an amazing project in its quality and generosity."

"Shir always dreamed of becoming a doctor. She didn’t get the chance - but through this book, we gave her that dream. The team at Life.Story listened deeply, got to know her world, and turned our memories into a beautiful tribute. We’re endlessly grateful."

"This was a journey of remembrance and connection. Within the pain, we found space to reflect, to breathe, to tell the world who Adar was - and still is. Every page, every meeting helped bring her back into focus. Through this book, she lives on."

"A moving, nostalgic journey. A way to embrace him again - through words, through memories. Family, friends, commanders - all came together to share moments of a life too short but deeply lived. Every story, every photo chosen with love and reverence. The result is a mosaic of his life, woven with infinite care. A gift we will cherish forever."

"It’s not easy to condense twenty years into a single book. But this project did more than preserve Omri’s story - it captured the essence of who he was. Friends, family, soldiers, commanders all opened their hearts. Through the tears and the laughter, a testament was born. This book is his voice, and it will echo for generations."

For Donors

Help Us Make Sure No One Is Forgotten

On October 7, everything changed.
In the aftermath, we’ve been faced with a national tragedy – but also a national responsibility.

At Life.Story, we’re building the new “Yad Vashem”.
The new Israeli library of memory.
One that shines a light on the lives behind the headlines.

We’ve already written hundreds of books – stories of bravery, laughter, friendship, childhood, dreams, and the irreplaceable spirit of each individual we lost.
But there are many more waiting.

Each book is a tribute.
A gift to the family.
A tool for healing.
A voice that echoes into the future.

With your donation, you can sponsor the writing of a life story.
You can help us reach every family still waiting.
You can ensure that the light of each life continues to shine – not just for today, but for generations to come.

Let’s make sure no one is forgotten.
Let’s turn loss into legacy.
Let’s write their names into the heart of this nation – together.

Help Us Keep Their Stories Alive

They had names. They had dreams. They had stories.

On October 7th, everything changed.
We lost hundreds of lives in a single day – sons and daughters, friends, parents, children.
Each of them had a story worth telling.
Each of them deserves to be remembered.

At Life.Story, we are writing these stories – one book at a time.
Books that bring comfort to grieving families.
Books that preserve legacy.
Books that become part of the story of our nation.

But we can’t do it without you.

Your Donation Helps Us:

Provide families with professional writers, editors, and designers
Print and deliver beautiful, lasting memorial books
Ensure every story is told with dignity, love, and truth
Reach more families still waiting

Every Shekel Tells a Story

Whether you give 180ILS or 18,000ILS, your donation funds real stories, real healing, and real remembrance.

Sponsor a single book.
Support ten families.
Fund an entire collection.

Whatever your gift – it matters.
Because no one should be forgotten.

Let’s turn grief into legacy.
Let’s turn silence into story.
Let’s write their names — and never stop telling them.

[Donate Now →]
100% of donations go directly toward the production of books for bereaved families.

The Written Books

Volunteer Voices

Why We Write
The Life.Story project is more than a memorial initiative. For us, the volunteers, it is a calling. A sacred act of restoration. A human responsibility. Here is what it means - in our own words.

"October 7th changed my life too. The deep fracture etched in my soul opened many cracks. Cracks that sought light. Within the pain, I found myself volunteering to write life stories, and without realizing it, I embarked on a journey that would change me completely. A writing journey of true heroes. The parents, the friends, the families of my heroes, let me into the depths of their lives. In every meeting, hearts opened up to me, and the love within me was built and grew. Through the heart and eyes – through tears, laughter, longing, and pain – I got to know them so closely that I felt they were truly becoming a part of my soul. How can it be that someone I never met in my life becomes such a part of me? How does he manage to make me love everyone who loves him too? On this journey, words passed through me to document every memory and movement that was told, uniting into an eternal creation and leaving a little of the unique mark of a beloved hero, a living treasure of love that will never be extinguished. This is sacred writing, and I have a deep sense of gratitude for the privilege of meeting the people I met and for the privilege of writing their stories. And with all the sadness, optimism grew stronger: I met many circles from the younger generation, they will rise from the ruins and build, they will love, they will mend – and they will restore hope to all of us."

"About two years ago, I wrote and published a children's book. I learned about the 'Story.Life' project through the project initiator, who is also my dear book editor, Dana Naomi Ben-Shlomi, and I was very moved. I joined the project as a writer in an amazing team of volunteers and received the privilege of writing the life story of Dvir Rahamim, may his memory be a blessing, a 23-year-old who was murdered at the Nova party while saving other people. I don't have enough words – even though I am a writer – to describe the depth of the experience. My meetings with the Rahamim family were moving, profound, and brought healing to both them and me. There is nothing more special than writing, as a gift for his grieving family, the short and wonderful life story of a young man who brought so much light to the world. This writing is unlike any other writing. It is an experience that is all love, giving, and tenderness. Thank you for the privilege."

"On the seventh of October, the Swords of Iron War broke out. In the very first days of the war, it was clear to me that I was enlisting and reaching out, and among the many forms of volunteering that were everywhere, a unique project caught my eye. Story.Life. Something in me so wanted to give, and something in me wanted to write. Shir Biton was the soldier whose story I was asked to write, an amazing 20-year-old soldier who was a combat medic at the Nahal Oz outpost. Uri and Asaf Biton, parents of Liad, Shir, and Aviya, welcomed our writing team into their warm and family-oriented home. From the very first moment, one could sense the fertile ground in which Shir grew up. During the visit, we became acquainted with Shir's world, with her unique personality that always strived for excellence, that was focused on giving to others, with a strong desire to help, to support, to be there for others. We met a young woman who was surrounded by friends, who loved to live, to dance, to eat well, to exercise, to spend time with family, and alongside all of this, she loved to learn, to invest, and dreamed of becoming a doctor. Meeting Shir's special parents reminded me that I am part of a warm and special people. I felt the connection to the values I also grew up on, values of giving to others, of responsibility and love for humanity. Uri's unique request, that I write a book that fulfills Shir's dream of becoming a doctor, drew out creative parts of me that were hidden within, and Shir herself, with her unique personality, influenced me by encouraging me to continue with determination even in moments when I didn't know how to proceed. At the end of the writing process, I realized that Shir had given me another personal gift. Through the work of writing the book, the passion to continue writing life stories awoke in me."

"I joined the project in its early days, from a place of volunteering, to contribute and be a part. Over time, I discovered that we are essentially telling the story of the heroes who fell defending the homeland starting from October seventh, for future generations, the story of those who left our world as angels and were murdered on this land. That for the bereaved families, we are creating a memory that will be preserved forever and will be part of the history of the people of Israel. And how much of a treasure this is for some of the families, because all that remains for them are memories, pictures, and words stored in a book. Thank you for the privilege."

"After October 7th, I felt powerless. My profession - editing books - suddenly felt irrelevant in the face of horror. Then I found Life.Story. What began as one book turned into three… and a lifetime commitment. This is a moral obligation - to give voice to those who can no longer speak. As long as families want us to tell their stories, we will be there. Always."

"I joined the 'Story.Life' project out of a desire to lend a hand and be part of something meaningful during such a difficult and turbulent time. Designing the memorial books, announcements, and bookmarks allows me to feel part of an important effort of commemoration and remembrance. Working on the life stories of the fallen and murdered is not emotionally easy, but it gives me a sense of mission and meaning. I feel that through my contribution to the project, I am also contributing to the national effort that has accompanied us since the seventh of October, and this is a great privilege for me."

Life.Story in the Media

A National Effort. A Human Story. A Global Response.

Since its founding in the early days of the war, Life.Story has captured the hearts of thousands across Israel and beyond.
Our mission has been covered by major Israeli media outlets, featured on national broadcasts, and shared by countless voices on social platforms – all echoing one message: these lives must be remembered.

Featured In:

📰 Haaretz
📺 Kan 11 News
📰 Yedioth Ahronoth
🖥 Walla!
📻 Galei Tzahal
📱 Dozens of personal shares and stories on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn

Want to Share Our Story?

We are happy to provide images, interviews, and feature content for journalists, bloggers, and community leaders.
📩 media@lifestory.org.il

“Life.Story is rebuilding the memory of a generation – with compassion, purpose, and extraordinary power.”
— Yedioth Ahronoth

Meet The Team

Hundreds of volunteers. One mission. Endless heart.
Life.Story is powered by over 500 volunteers - writers, editors, illustrators, designers, project managers, and production experts. But behind the scenes is a dedicated leadership team that turns emotion into execution, and vision into reality.
These are the people building Israel’s new library of memory - one story at a time.

Dana Neomi Ben-Shlomi

Founder & CEO Writer, editor, and visionary. Dana launched Life.Story in the second week of the war and continues to lead the initiative with purpose, compassion, and creative precision.

Vicky Glam

Audit Committee Providing oversight, transparency, and financial integrity to ensure the trust of every donor and the security of every family’s story.

Shalhevet Zohar

Audit Committee Providing oversight, transparency, and financial integrity to ensure the trust of every donor and the security of every family’s story.

Reut Ofir

Deputy CEO Strategic thinker and operations leader. Reut keeps the gears turning - managing processes, people, and impact with grace and clarity.

Shiri Lotan Masika

Board of directors

Israel Hershkovitz

Board of directors

Tamar Levin

Head of Human Resources & Volunteer Teams The human heart of the project. Tamar matches each family with the right team, ensuring the perfect fit in tone, sensitivity, and storytelling style.

Liat Weisser

Head of Team Leaders Oversees our national network of coordinators and team leads. Liat ensures that every volunteer is supported - and every family, guided.

Rinat Ashkenazi

Head of Business Development Builds partnerships, creates opportunities, and ensures the project can grow - with integrity, purpose, and reach.

Miriam Zakheim

Head of Training & Guidance Provides mentorship and tools for our writing teams - ensuring that every story is handled with skill, care, and emotional intelligence.

Rona Elkouloumbri

Community Development & Training Forges bonds with communities, guides volunteer growth, and cultivates long-term engagement through heart-led leadership.

Einat A. Shimshoni

Head of Graphic Design Leads the visual expression of the books. Every cover, every layout, every printed memory passes through Einat’s creative lens.

Galit Sevilla

Print Production Lead Coordinates the physical production and delivery of the books - ensuring families receive beautifully crafted tributes, on time.

Marianne Galperin

Head of Fundraising & Donations Builds bridges with supporters and donors, ensuring every contribution becomes a story written, a life remembered.

And behind them?

Hundreds more - each one a light in this growing constellation of memory and meaning.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the book creation process take?

Each book is handcrafted with care.
From the moment a family joins the project to the final printed copy, the process can take between 6–12 weeks – sometimes longer, depending on the complexity of the story and the family’s pace.
We honor the rhythm of grief. There’s no rush – only respect.

Is every bereaved family eligible, no matter where they live?

Yes. Whether you live in the north or the south, in a city or on a kibbutz – our volunteers come to you.
We are committed to reaching every family who wishes to tell their loved one’s story.

What if we want to tell the story of a survivor - someone who lived through the attack or the war?

We believe survivors carry a different kind of story – one of pain, resilience, and responsibility.
While our core focus is on memorial books, we are expanding our scope to include selected survivor testimonies.
Please reach out directly, and we’ll do our best to find the right path forward.

Who owns the copyright to the book?

The family retains full copyright and control over the story. Always.
If you wish to publish commercially in the future, that’s entirely up to you. We are here to give you the story – what you choose to do with it is yours alone.

Can the book be something different - like a children’s story, poetry collection, or illustrated book?

Absolutely. Not every life fits into the same mold, and not every memory needs to be told the same way.
We’ve created graphic novels, children’s books, poetic tributes, and more.
Tell us your vision – we’ll help you bring it to life.

Their Lives Deserve to Be Told

And We Are Writing Them – One Story at a Time

Every name. Every face. Every heartbeat behind the tragedy.
At Life.Story, we preserve the stories of those who were murdered or fell in the October 7th attacks and the Iron Swords War.
Through beautifully crafted memorial books — written by hundreds of volunteers — we transform grief into legacy, and silence into light.

Because memory is resistance.
Because story is survival.
Because no one should be forgotten.

[Explore the Stories →] [Join the Mission →] [Donate Now →]

A memorial project for those who fell and were murdered in the Swords of Iron War.

About Us

Founder’s Story

Interested in memorializing your loved one through a book?

Interested in contributing to the project through writing, editing, design, layout, or proofreading?

Families Are Sharing

Why We Write The Life.Story project is more than a memorial initiative. For us, the volunteers, it is a calling. A sacred act of restoration. A human responsibility. Here is what it means - in our own words.

Dana Neomi Ben-Shlomi

Founder & CEO Writer, editor, and visionary. Dana launched Life.Story in the second week of the war and continues to lead the initiative with purpose, compassion, and creative precision.

Vicky Glam

Audit Committee Providing oversight, transparency, and financial integrity to ensure the trust of every donor and the security of every family’s story.

Shalhevet Zohar

Audit Committee Providing oversight, transparency, and financial integrity to ensure the trust of every donor and the security of every family’s story.

Reut Ofir

Deputy CEO Strategic thinker and operations leader. Reut keeps the gears turning - managing processes, people, and impact with grace and clarity.

Shiri Lotan Masika

Board of directors

Israel Hershkovitz

Board of directors

Tamar Levin

Head of Human Resources & Volunteer Teams The human heart of the project. Tamar matches each family with the right team, ensuring the perfect fit in tone, sensitivity, and storytelling style.

Liat Weisser

Head of Team Leaders Oversees our national network of coordinators and team leads. Liat ensures that every volunteer is supported - and every family, guided.

Rinat Ashkenazi

Head of Business Development Builds partnerships, creates opportunities, and ensures the project can grow - with integrity, purpose, and reach.

Miriam Zakheim

Head of Training & Guidance Provides mentorship and tools for our writing teams - ensuring that every story is handled with skill, care, and emotional intelligence.

Rona Elkouloumbri

Community Development & Training Forges bonds with communities, guides volunteer growth, and cultivates long-term engagement through heart-led leadership.

Einat A. Shimshoni

Head of Graphic Design Leads the visual expression of the books. Every cover, every layout, every printed memory passes through Einat’s creative lens.

Galit Sevilla

Print Production Lead Coordinates the physical production and delivery of the books - ensuring families receive beautifully crafted tributes, on time.

Marianne Galperin

Head of Fundraising & Donations Builds bridges with supporters and donors, ensuring every contribution becomes a story written, a life remembered.

And behind them?

Hundreds more - each one a light in this growing constellation of memory and meaning.

Other inquiries? Leave a message.

Why We Write
The Life.Story project is more than a memorial initiative. For us, the volunteers, it is a calling. A sacred act of restoration. A human responsibility. Here is what it means - in our own words.