Daughter Recounts Yom Kippur Without Father Killed in Terror Attack

Talia Shachron, the 14-year-old daughter of Natanel Shachron, who was killed in a terror attack near the settlement of Neve Tzuf, has shared her experience of the first Yom Kippur without her father. She recounted the moment she recognized the attack site from a blurry video, realizing her father was there. Natanel Shachron had invited Talia to join him at a spring shortly before the attack, but she chose to stay home.

Following the attack, the family's hope dwindled as attempts to contact Natanel failed. Initial reports of his death were followed by news that he had a pulse, prompting Talia and her mother to rush to the hospital, only to be informed of his death there. The family is still processing the immense loss, with Talia stating she is slowly coming to terms with it.

She described her father as a man deeply connected to his family, tradition, and the Land of Israel. He emphasized honoring parents, maintaining religious traditions, and ensuring family unity through frequent outings and trips across Israel. A planned family trip abroad was also canceled due to the attack.

Since the attack, the Shachron family has been surrounded by a supportive community, receiving food and assistance from neighbors and friends. This support extended to Yom Kippur, where community members accompanied Talia to synagogue and helped care for her younger siblings.

A particularly poignant moment occurred during the Neilah prayer, the closing service of Yom Kippur. Traditionally, the Shachron children would gather under their father's tallit (prayer shawl) during the priestly blessing. This year, Talia's uncle placed his tallit over her, a gesture that was emotionally significant but could not fill the void left by her father. "It wasn't the same. It was terribly painful," she said, expressing a determination to move forward with the help of others and her father's memory.