Man Blinded in Maxim's Restaurant Attack Marries Partner

Oren Almog, who was severely injured and blinded in the 2003 Maxim's restaurant suicide bombing, married Rotem Alima last week. The wedding took place 23 years after the attack that claimed the lives of five of Almog's family members, including his father and brother, whose photos he wore on his lapel. Singer Shlomo Artzi performed at the ceremony, singing as the couple entered the chuppah. Alima dedicated a prayer during the ceremony for the restoration of Almog's eyesight, expressing hope for his recovery and a successful surgery.

Almog was ten years old when the Islamic Jihad suicide bomber detonated in the restaurant, killing 21 people and injuring dozens. In addition to losing his sight and five relatives, his mother, sister, and aunt were also wounded in the attack. Despite his severe injuries, Almog returned to school and later enlisted in the IDF, serving despite being exempt due to his blindness.

Tragically, terrorism struck Almog's extended family again during the October 7th attacks. His relatives, the Goldstein-Almog family from Kfar Aza, were victims, with Nadav and his daughter Yam murdered, and Chen and her three children kidnapped to Gaza. Chen and the children were released in November 2023 as part of a hostage deal. Sami Jaradat, one of the organizers of the Maxim's bombing, was released in 2025 as part of a separate hostage exchange.