Friends of Terror Victim Noam Establish Support Center for Bereaved Peers

On October 7, during the Nova Festival terror attack, Noam Shalom was murdered, deeply affecting her closest friends, including Neta Hanania Amrani and Amit Bismut Kalai. Neta survived the attack but was consumed by grief and guilt, repeatedly trying to reach Noam and struggling with the trauma of losing her best friend, whom she describes as her "other half." Amit, who was not at the festival, also lost Noam, whom she considered a sister in spirit.

Nearly three years later, Neta and Amit have helped establish "Beit Noam," Israel's first center dedicated to supporting young people aged 18 to 35 who have lost friends since October 7. The center, created in collaboration with Noam’s parents, offers various therapies including emotional, artistic, and physical treatments, as well as community gatherings. It provides a safe space where bereaved friends can come without needing to explain themselves or seek formal therapy.

Both women emphasize that while survivors of the Nova attack received some support, friends often lacked recognition and assistance. Neta highlights the unique grief of losing a friend, which is often overlooked compared to losses of family members. Amit honors Noam’s memory by naming her son after her and describes their bond as closer than family.

The center operates every Sunday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Binyamina, near the train station, and is free to join via its website. Neta and Amit urge other bereaved friends to allow themselves to grieve and seek help, stressing that they deserve dedicated support.

Summary: After losing their close friend Noam Shalom in the October 7 Nova Festival terror attack, Neta Hanania Amrani and Amit Bismut Kalai founded "Beit Noam," a pioneering support center for young people grieving friends lost in the attack, offering therapy and community space in Binyamina.

Points: - Noam Shalom was killed in the October 7 Nova Festival terror attack, deeply impacting her friends. - Survivors Neta Hanania Amrani and Amit Bismut Kalai founded "Beit Noam" to support bereaved friends. - The center offers emotional, artistic, and physical therapies plus community gatherings for ages 18-35. - "Beit Noam" fills a gap, recognizing grief among friends often overlooked in trauma support. - The center operates Sundays in Binyamina, free to join, providing a non-therapeutic safe space. - Founders encourage bereaved friends to allow themselves to grieve and seek help.

Topic: security

Entities: {"people":["Noam Shalom","Neta Hanania Amrani","Amit Bismut Kalai","Hadas Shalom","Tomer Shalom","Ben"],"organizations":["Beit Noam"],"places":["Nova Festival","Binyamina","Israel"]}