Musician Ran Almaliach Recounts Trauma and Creative Rebirth Post-October 7

Musician Ran Almaliach of the Israeli bandכנסיית השכל (Knesset Ha'Sekhel) described the shock and disorientation of the October 7th Hamas attacks, which caught him and his family off guard at their home in Kibbutz Dorot, near the Gaza border. Initially mistaking the sounds for a routine missile attack, the reality of the invasion soon became apparent through calls from friends in nearby kibbutzim hearing Arabic spoken outside. Despite the escalating danger, Almaliach hesitated to leave, fearing he wouldn't be able to cross the roads.

Three days later, a close-range gunshot prompted the family to flee their kibbutz, which had been largely evacuated. They instinctively headed south to Eilat, facing initial difficulties finding accommodation due to their large dog. After three weeks in Eilat, they relocated to Kibbutz Ramat Rachel for several months before returning to their home in Kibbutz Dorot.

Almaliach shared that while they feel relatively safe in their kibbutz, which is accustomed to security threats, the trauma of October 7th has had a profound impact. He revealed that for the first two years following the attack, he was unable to play music or create, describing his participation in band performances as robotic and devoid of enjoyment. He found solace in connecting with other evacuees but remained creatively paralyzed.

Approximately a year ago, Almaliach experienced a creative breakthrough. After being provided with a music room in his kibbutz, he spent eight months intensely writing and composing an entire album, feeling as though all his pent-up creativity from the previous two years had exploded. The new album is currently in the mixing stage.

In addition to his music, Almaliach is participating in 'Voices from the Gaza Envelope,' an exhibition in Jaffa featuring over 75 artists from the Gaza envelope region. The exhibition includes works by artists who were murdered on October 7th alongside those who continue to create, symbolizing memory and continuity. Almaliach's contribution is a series exploring the deconstruction of form, light, and shadow, reflecting his personal process of fragmentation and rebuilding. He also noted his background in 3D animation, which he sees as a complementary creative outlet that has always accompanied his musical endeavors.