English >> About Eden > In Memory > In The Media > The Battle
Eden was born on November 23, 2000, lived in Modi'in and was born at Lis Hospital in Tel Aviv.
She grew up in the city of Modi'in, the middle child of her parents and the sister of Hadar, born in 1996, and Noga, born in 2004.
As a child, Eden attended the Modi'in Yahad School (a school that combines religious and secular students) until the end of the ninth grade, and from there, in the tenth grade, she moved to Mor High School due to the heavy swimming load (9 practices per week) and the proximity of Mor High School to the swimming pool and home.
Eden swam from the age of 6 in the 'Maccabi Water Park Re'ut ' association and was a competitive swimmer on the Israeli national team until the age of 19. Her strongest swims were the 100 and 200 meter backstroke, the 200 and 400 meter individual medley, and also the 5 km and 10 km "open water" swims.
Eden was an outstanding student, studied in the Bar-Ilan program, and in high school she chose to major In physics, mathematics, theater and English.
Eden thought of serving the IDF as an outstanding athlete, like many of her friends, and then going to the US to attend college with swimming scholarship. But, she was accepted for IDF pilot's course. So she decided she wants a significant service in the IDF. It was a very difficult decision and in December 2019 she competed in her last national championship and tearfully said goodbye to the sport she loved so much. In Jan 2020 she joined the pilot course and after a few months she moved-on to the Artillery Corps and was trained and served as a fighter and team commander Officer in the Sky Rider unit (Rochash) – an Elite fighting unit that flies drones.
Eden's "values":
With courage and Modesty: The head of her branch in the artillery corps said about her, at a tree planting ceremony in her memory in "Tse'elim", that Eden demonstrated courage and Modesty, a combination of heroism, courage, strength and modesty. He explained that courage and Modesty are not two opposites, but rather intertwined with Eden: she was a quiet, modest girl who even seemed a little fragile, and in the moment of truth (in battle) she brought her courage to expression at levels that we do not see from people who seem to us strong and "all-powerful" in everyday life.
Spreading free love: One of the fighters who was with Eden in the ROCHASH course said that during the war he had many hours to think, and he tried to distill 'who Eden was', he concluded that 'Eden was a person who spread free love'. For example, when the female observers who were kidnapped from captivity returned, they said that 5 of them had just completed their Army training and joined the Nahal Oz outpost on Thursday, October 5, and there, in the residence, Eden (who did not know them, was not their commander, and was not even from the same corps) approached them, encouraged them, said that the "distance" (between Soldiers and Officers) was over, showed them where the ROCHASH room was, and said that they could contact her with anything they needed.
Informed decision-making: Eden was agonized when she had to make important decisions such as choosing a major in school or a position in the army, and more. It was not easy for her. She did not decide casually, but would often talk and consult with her friends and family, and even prepare a table of pros/cons. But once she made a decision, she would "dedicate herself" to the decision and not deal with regrets. For example, at the age of 19, when she tearfully said goodbye to swimming, which she loved so much, in favor of meaningful service, she wrote, "Despite all the difficulties, I am at peace with it and know that this is the right decision for me."
Without fear of failure: Eden had a strong internal "backbone" that allowed her to overcome "failures" and cared less about "what they will say about her." For example, in the field of swimming and competitions, she persevered until the age of 19 despite many disappointments, difficulties, and failures along the way. Another example is when Eden ran for the student council in fourth and fifth grade, she was not elected. But she did not gave up, was not afraid or ashamed, but competed again in the sixth grade and even won the right to be the chairwoman of the student council
Optimism, always with a smile: Eden tried to see the positive side, the glass half full. On Friday, October 6, 2023, when she was sad and talking to her boyfriend about the future, she told him, "You made limoncello out of lemons for me." Eden always had a smile on her face, and even when things were difficult, she smiled at the world. In swimming, Eden would welcome new swimmers who joined from other clubs and help them acclimatize.
Setting personal challenges: Eden strived for excellence, not to show off and show that she was better than the others, but to improve herself. For example, at the age of 5, the kindergarten teacher put up a card in her library saying that anyone who read and exchanged 10 books would receive a "Bookworm" medal (made of cardboard). Eden decided and confidently said that she was going to exchange 100 books and not just 10, and so she did. She set a goal and every day she would read a different book until when she reached 100 books, we bought her a real gold medal and she was full of pride that she had met the task she had set for herself.
Setting an example: The value of setting an example was an inseparable part of Eden both as a child and as a soldier and officer. She would demand and show the way on the need to always maintain military alertness, so on the morning of October 7th when Eden and her soldiers jumped from their quarters to the shelter in their pajamas, they did not forget to take their weapons with them. Another example is that Eden, as an officer, had rights such as going on vacation or wearing red nail polish, but in order to set a personal example for her soldiers, she chose not to take advantage of these rights.
Friendship: The value of friendship was very important to Eden. She made sure to develop various friendship circles at school, in swimming, in the theater department, and more. Eden was the "glue" in the group and it is said about her that even during periods when the group had already moved away and everyone was busy (in the army or swimmers who had gone to study abroad), Eden would insist on meeting on the weekends in order to strengthen the bond.
Tolerance and acceptance of others:
Tolerance and Compassion and 'seeing' the others: Eden studied for many years in a YAHAD school that combines religious and secular students and educates them for tolerance. In the army, people say that she would compete with religious soldiers to see who could remember the words of the prayers better. Eden had great compassion for those around her, she would connect with 'good' people and did not seek closeness with the powerful popular 'class queens'. She helped everyone and always made sure to see the children who lacked confidence and empower them. Examples:
At school, when she was the chairwoman of the student council in the sixth grade, in the regulations she wrote: "Each council member will serve as an roll-model to the students of the school in his or her behavior, the council member will serve as a listening ear to his or her friends…"
The high school Gym teacher said that Eden would finish running in a very fast time, then she would quickly wash her face and run back to the field to encourage the last ones who were having difficulty
In the theater major in high school, she would help and advise children who were in other groups
In the army, when she was an officer, she would project empathy and help soldiers
– Similarly, on October 7, 2023, when she could have used her weapon to save herself, she sacrificed her life to save 17 out of 29 women soldiers (whom she did not know) in the Migonit station at the Nahal Oz outpost
May her memory be blessed.
English >> About Eden > In Memory > In The Media > The Battle