Nova victim who saved 200 lives in the last moments

‘You will forever be etched in our hearts and minds’: efforts created in his honor

No one will ever forget the shock and awe that returned to all of Israel and the diaspora on Oct. 7, 2023

David (YAIR SHALOM) Newman was a high school classmate of my close friend Shifra Jacobs. At the age of 25, he was one of the 350 innocent people killed in Supernova, accompanied by his girlfriend, Noamen Ben David. As the terrorists entered the site, the couple ran to their car; But due to the heavy construction of the vehicles trying to move, there are too many trying to escape, they are looking for shelter in a large metal dumpster, along with several other scary goats.

The group was hidden there for four and a half hours, but unfortunately the terrorists opened fire on the dumpster, killing Newman and Benging Ben David, who were later rescued. Many others were killed, such as Maya Bitton and her Fiancé, Eliran Mizrahi; Inbar Shem Tov; Chief of Hadar; Ilkin Nazarov; and amit levy.

In an interview, Ben Davide recounted his last moments of his boyfriend: “I felt the spirit of keeping David next to me, but I was too afraid to move.”

Newman’s sister, Batya, explains that “in his last moments, David kept his composure and tried to calm those around him.” Later, his family learned that he saved 200 people that day by sending his location to a security checkpoint before he killed. “He was a hero,” his girlfriend said.

Jacobs explains receiving the devastating news: “Everything was so. I received a text from my friend that he was very loud. I couldn’t believe it. It didn’t do anything “that he was gone.

He continues, “I thought that, like everyone else, I would see him again – but we didn’t get that chance or that time. It makes me appreciate my family and everything else – but don’t take things lightly.”

Recalling memories of his childhood friend, Jacobs says, “I remember him like a light. You saw him, and everything was lit up.

“From the moment I met him, he was very kind,” said the bereaved friend. “He was a very good friend. We used to go out on the town on big nights – that’s what young people are made of. I was always very happy to see him.”

Newman grew up in the old city of Jerusalem. The son of Chaya and Moses Meiri, and his brothers Batach, Noach, Gavrieli, and Dviri, he was close to his family and his nephews. “The experience he didn’t want to remember was Friday night family and holiday meals with his siblings,” said Batya.

Enlisting in the Army in October 2017, initially as an air force pilot, he insisted on being accepted into a combat role with the Golani Elite Entry Brigade. After the army, he met his girlfriend, Noah, and the couple traveled together through India for several months. When he returned to Israel in June 2023, David worked in the events industry and dreamed of opening his own events. The couple had planned to move in together after the Supernova festival.

Newman is very lost. His younger brother Dviri wrote on Newman’s Memorial: “You were everything to me: my big brother, my friend, my partner, rest in peace my brother, my love, my blood, my lord, my angel.”

Batya describes his brother as “a great light and light, who despite his great presence, was humble in his nature and always respected others.” He was someone who ‘brought joy to everyone and brightened up every place he entered. Everyone who knew him immediately liked him even if he looked at them funny, he would talk to them, and lift them up. “

He also talks about his love for dancing. “Davida danced for life with joy. He was the first on the floor and the last to leave.” He says he wants to ‘see the world’, fulfilling his dream by traveling to South America, Mexico, India, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka.

“David’s hobbies were sunsets and sunrises, enjoying good food, dancing at parties, and just enjoying life,” he added diligently.

Efforts began in David’s memory

Several efforts have been established by Newman’s friends in his memory.
In his one year azkara (Memory), Jacobs asked his brother Dviri if there were any Newman stickers left, and he said they were gone. Since then, he has printed and issued hundreds of Newmans and held them all in Jerusalem. Speaking of his efforts, there is not much I can do. I am one person. But I can do one thing… Like stickers. Every time I see them. “

During Sukkot 2024, along with several friends, I had the honor of staying at Sukkah Outside of MOJO’s restaurant in Jerusalem that was built and dedicated to the memory of Newman and the victims of the Supernova attack. The previous Sukkot, just days before he was killed on Simchat Torah, Newman had helped build a Sukkah at that location. Everyone who lived in the Sukkah in Mood in Coplook e mitzvah falls lei’shev ba’sukkah (Sitting in the Sukkah) of Newman’s fame.

Shuk ‘n chic bracelet

Last year, Jacobs came up with the idea of ​​collaborating with our jewelry company Imber Slavat shuk ‘n chic to design a charm bracelet in memory of Newman. Shuk ‘n Chic, based in Tel Aviv, produces handmade Jewish jewelry and accessories. All jewelry is custom-made, hand-made by hand, and personally certified by Slavat, and then shipped within Israel or abroad.

After hearing about Hersh Goldberg-Polin’s Turnerg-Polin’s Turner while in exile, Slavat designed and sold “Chip Choot ChooChote necklaces”, earrings, and key chains with Chocolate Chip Cookie Charms. As written on Shuk ‘n Chic’s Instagram page, the first step is to honor life “beautiful but short but short.”

In the words of Slavat, “We must praise life. I want us to remember that chocolate chip cookies were her favorite food. I want us to remember her passions, her dreams, what she loved.”

Although slavat did not know the young man, he wanted to support Jacobs in praising his spirit by “creating this handmade bracelet as the love of light and love that he brought to our world.” Beautifully crafted and cleverly designed, each bracelet has a small postcard carber on it, symbolizing her love of travel. David wrote: “David had a wanderlust at heart, exploring the world with an infectious spirit of adventure and the joy it brought.

Engraved on the back of each postcard is Newman’s beloved motto: Hakol mishtabesh letonia (All is well apart) – a reminder of his optimistic outlook on life. According to his sister, “David believed that everything was for the best, despite all the difficulties he faced. He always lived in the moment.”

Another Charm in the bracelet is a crown, which represents Newman’s name, King David, “symbolizing the lasting legacy of strength, grace, and love” that Newman has.

Jacobs About the bracelet, “What I find relevant about it, and special, is that it’s obvious that someone was killed, because you see that you see that.

“But when I see that bracelet or David’s rods, I feel good. He’s still here – in a different way. Wearing that bracelet.

On his Instagram page, Slavat writes: “In the sense of love of David Newman, a man of comfort, kindness, and loving kindness took everyone around him.

“Each bracelet purchased keeps David’s memory alive and supports efforts to honor his legacy. Wearing it is a way to carry a piece of the spirit we continue to carry. He will always live in our hearts.”

All proceeds go to the new family and honoring David Newman’s legacy, ensuring his light continues. His sister says she would like to use the money raised to buy more stickers. So far, many bracelets have been sold, in Israel, Germany, and America, and Nis 1,000 has been raised. The bracelet I bought, I wear on my right hand.

May the memory of David Newman be a blessing.

Learn more about the rings at shifrajacobs.com/remembering-david/ or follow the slave on Instagram:
@ShukkchChic