Israeli Retailers Launch Initiative to Commemorate October 7 Victims

As the three-year anniversary of the October 7th attacks and the subsequent war approaches, Israeli supermarket chains Sapir and Neto Saving are launching a "memory candle" initiative. Approximately 50,000 memorial candles will be sold in their stores, allowing the public to choose a specific individual who was killed on October 7th or fell during the war and light a candle in their memory. The initiative, under the slogan "We All Light Together," aims to shift the focus from the general events and casualty numbers to the individual lives lost, their families, and their personal stories.

Customers will be able to purchase the candles leading up to October 7th and light them at home, dedicating them to a specific person. Participants are encouraged to share their candle-lighting moments on social media using the hashtag #WeAllLightTogether, along with the name of the person they are remembering and a few words about them.

Beyond commemorating the victims, the initiative also serves a charitable purpose. All profits from the sale of the candles will be donated to the "One Family" organization, which provides ongoing emotional and practical support to bereaved families and victims of terror. The organization has expanded its services since October 7th, offering personal and emotional guidance, support groups, and community activities.

The dual purpose of the initiative is to enable the public to participate in a simple, personal act of remembrance while simultaneously providing financial assistance to families still coping with their loss.