Perpetuating the memory of the deceased through their handwritten writing, digitized.
The Israeli initiative Ot Hayim, created by volunteers just weeks after October 7, 2023, uses the handwriting of soldiers who fell and victims of terrorism to create a digital file resembling the deceased. For grieving families, this project symbolizes hope and allows them to leave a lasting digital trace of the departed, forever. Once created, the file, which contains photos, texts, and the victim's handwriting, can be downloaded, printed, and framed. Thanks to Ot Hayim, something of the unique personality and character of those who fell is thus immortalized. Itonnews interviewed Yael Masika Maimon, an educator, educational content developer, and coordinator for the bereaved families at Ot Hayim. A fascinating project that brings comfort to the hearts of the loved ones of the deceased.
"My daughter's friend and her boyfriend were killed in Kfar Aza on October 7," says Yael, deeply moved. "Very quickly, we decided to use her handwriting, as it was one of the only things left of her. I contacted Leah Marmorstein Yarchi, who is now the director of Ot Hayim, and asked her to use this handwriting to prepare a plaque with texts to comfort her devastated group of friends. That's how the initiative was born. Leah loved this idea and immediately told me that we should build a real project around the handwriting of the fallen soldiers in Gaza, in the North, and victims of terrorism. Thirty minutes later, we agreed on the name of the initiative: Ot Hayim, which in Hebrew means 'the letters of life'," said Yael.
"In an hour, we assembled a team of volunteers who do the designs alone with great dedication and professionalism. These are very diverse people, from all political backgrounds and religious trends. Some even work from abroad to make this magic happen," she continues.
The designs are published on the Ot Hayim website and social media. Most families contact Yael after hearing about the initiative through word of mouth or online. Yael speaks with the grieving families by phone, who then fill out a form with detailed information about the victim.
"I explain to them how to photograph the person's handwriting so the designer can achieve the best result. The families also tell us what kind of person they were, sharing information about their surroundings, friends, passions, and favorite songs to create a complete portrait. They then upload the handwriting and photos with the form. They generally receive the digital file several months later. It's a very challenging job for the volunteers, who get close to the deceased and, in a sense, enter their intimacy without having known them. They do this in an extraordinary way, pouring their hearts into it to bring a little happiness and comfort to those going through the worst: the loss of a loved one," says Yael.
Making each person's uniqueness immortal
Yael asserts that whenever possible, the teams meet the families in person, as it's very important to fully understand the personality of the deceased and create the most authentic design possible. The designs take the form of a letter as if the person had written directly to their family. They are created using state-of-the-art software.
"Each one represents a story and a world in itself, and we must never forget, even for an instant, those who were cruelly murdered. People are very moved and impressed by the result because it gives an immortal side to those who left too soon. For the families, it's a way to perpetuate the memory of their loved one, who lives on beside them through their handwriting," says Yael.
For Yael, the most touching story was that of her daughter's friend, murdered with her boyfriend on October 7. They were supposed to get engaged three days later, on October 10. The ring was found in the rubble of their home, ravaged by Hamas terrorists. "Originally from Netanya, she had moved six months earlier with her boyfriend to Kfar Aza. On the evening of Simchat Torah, she was at her parents' house in Netanya but decided to return after dinner to study for her exams at home, not knowing she would tragically meet her end the next day," laments Yael, tearfully.
In total, Ot Hayim has created 43 designs for soldiers or victims of terrorism and aims to surpass 50 in the near future. Once more than 50 are completed, they will organize a conference with all the bereaved families to present the work, as well as an exhibition open to the public.
Website of Ot Hayim : https://www.ot-hayim.co.il/en/
Caroline Haïat
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