Fallen Soldier Shir Eilat’s Favorite Pavlova Recipe Shared by Memorial Project

Shir Eilat, 20, who fell in combat at Kibbutz Nahal Oz on October 7, is remembered through her favorite dessert, pavlova. Eilat, born in December 2002, was described by her family as intelligent, funny, and full of life, yet also quiet, strong, and possessing leadership qualities. She enlisted in the IDF in August 2021, serving as an observer at Nahal Oz before completing an officers' course and returning to the kibbutz as a commander. On the morning of October 7, 2023, she managed the Nahal Oz command center during the Hamas infiltration and fell in battle that day.

Her family shared that pavlova, a dessert of crisp meringue with cream and berry sauce, was one of her favorites. This recipe is now part of the "Recipe with Memory" initiative, a project started in 2015 by the "Recipe with Memory" association. The initiative aims to memorialize fallen soldiers and victims of terror by sharing recipes of their favorite dishes, connecting people worldwide to their stories through taste.

The project maintains a digital recipe book with stories and activity plans for groups and educational institutions, turning meals into opportunities for remembrance. A special memorial box, launched on the last Memorial Day, includes ingredients for a dish inspired by the fallen individual, a memorial candle, and a card with their life story, offering a meaningful family experience. Proceeds from the boxes support the association's activities and bereaved families. Bereaved families are encouraged to share recipes and participate in the memorial project, allowing others to remember and honor the fallen through the flavors they loved.