Songs Reflecting Hostage Crisis Give Voice to Grief and Resilience
Translated & summarized from Makor Rishon by baba
A playlist of songs reflecting the experiences of October 7 and its aftermath includes "You Are Everyone," written by Alon Shamriz, who was later killed after escaping captivity. Musician Yogev Glusman set the song to music, aiming for a vital rendition that has resonated widely. The article also features "Brothers," an album by Tuval dedicated to his brother Yotam Haim, who was killed alongside Shamriz. These musical works provide solace and keep the memory of the victims alive through creative expression.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Alon Shamriz's song "You Are Everyone" gained new meaning after his death following an escape from Gaza captivity.
- Shamriz, Yotam Haim, and Summer Talalka were killed by IDF fire after escaping Gaza.
- Musician Yogev Glusman set Shamriz's song to music, aiming for a vital and communal rendition.
- Tuval, brother of Yotam Haim, released a debut album titled "Brothers" dedicated to his late sibling.
- These musical works offer solace and keep the memory of victims alive through creative expression.
As the three-year mark of October 7 approaches, a curated playlist of songs connected to the period offers a poignant reflection on the experiences of that day and its aftermath. Among these is "You Are Everyone," a song written by Alon (Lulu) Shamriz, who was 18 at the time. Shamriz, a resident of Kibbutz Kfar Aza, was abducted to Gaza on October 7, 2023, at age 26. After 70 days in captivity, he managed to escape with Yotam Haim and Summer Talalka. Tragically, the three were killed in Shuja'iyya by IDF fire, having been mistakenly identified as a threat. The song, written eight years prior, gained a profound and somber new meaning in light of his fate. Lines like "When you disappear, they will pray for your return / And when you appear, no one will be able to see you" make the song almost unbearable to hear normally. The lyrics, seemingly philosophical observations on life's instability, "It's hard to live halfway," "sometimes you fall and sometimes you rise," "sometimes you're in the fire and sometimes you wait for a glimmer of light," and "It seems like a game, but it's all in the head," culminate in the complex conclusion: "You yourself, you are everyone." Musician Yogev Glusman, known as "iogi," encountered the song via a Facebook post. He later collaborated with Shai Tzabri to set the lyrics to music. Glusman was particularly struck by the lines about disappearance and return but aimed to create a song with a groove and a chorus that could be sung together, infusing it with vitality rather than making it a heavy memorial. "You Are Everyone" was released as a single in January 2024 and has since become closely associated with the period, first performed at a concert by Avitar Banai, whose band Glusman plays in. The song's title, "You Are Everyone," also takes on broader significance, representing not just an individual but a waiting family, a grieving community, and a public striving to hold together amidst a difficult reality. This exemplifies music's power to transform personal expressions into universally resonant anthems.
The article also highlights the story of Yotam Haim, another victim of the same incident. His brother, Tuval, a musician himself, released his debut album "Brothers" in May 2025, dedicated to Yotam. The album, featuring collaborations with artists like Berry Sakharof and Shai Tzabri, is described as full of life and Yotam's spirit, rather than a traditional collection of memorial songs. Tuval has also transformed "Brothers" into a live performance, alongside a joint show with their mother, Iris, titled "Orange Light Illuminates Everything," which combines music, videos, and Yotam's life story. These works, like Shamriz's song, continue to resonate, offering solace and a way to keep the memory of those lost alive through creative expression, especially as the anniversary approaches.