Israeli companies are marking the third anniversary of the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack with workplace memorials, meetings with former hostages, documentary screenings and ongoing partnerships with bereaved families, giving employees opportunities to remember those killed and hear firsthand accounts from survivors.
The initiatives range from personal memorial displays to events focused on resilience and recovery, reflecting efforts by companies to incorporate remembrance into the workplace three years after the attack.
Playtika
Gaming company Playtika will install a memorial display in the entrance plaza of its offices, where employees will be invited to share memories and write personal dedications.
As part of its commemorative events, the company also hosted former hostage Avinatan Or for a talk titled “Miba’ad La’adama,” in which he recounted spending 738 days in Hamas captivity, much of it in complete isolation.
Or spoke about how he coped psychologically, his determination not to give up and an escape attempt that nearly succeeded.
Evinced
Evinced, which develops technology to help companies integrate digital accessibility into websites and mobile applications, will mark the anniversary with a gathering and special lecture at “Just A Second,” a social and environmental initiative centered on reuse and upcycling.
The talk, titled “Rising from the Ruins: From Crisis to Recovery and Renewal,” draws a connection between giving discarded objects a second life and the process of individual and social recovery after a crisis.
Profits from activities at the venue are donated to Bishvil Hamachar, a nonprofit that organizes trips designed to help IDF reservists process their experiences.
Axonius
Cybersecurity company Axonius is focusing its commemoration on resilience and heroism and will host former hostage Or Levy at its offices.
Levy was abducted during the Oct. 7 attack and will share his story and his experiences since then with employees. The event is intended to promote remembrance, listening and community support.
AudioCodes
AudioCodes will convert its auditorium into a dedicated memorial space, closing it to other activities for the day.
Hundreds of employees will be invited to enter the auditorium, watch footage and spend time in quiet remembrance.
A 30-minute film will be screened repeatedly throughout the day, combining television reports and archival news footage documenting events from the Oct. 7 attack through the release of the hostages.
Esh Tech
Israeli defense technology startup Esh Tech, which is developing a tactical laser system designed to intercept large numbers of drones within seconds, is marking the anniversary through an ongoing relationship with the family of Staff Sgt. Itay Martsiano.
The family shared Staff Sgt. Itay Martsiano's story
(Photo: Rami Zarnegar)
Martsiano, a 20-year-old soldier and commander in the IDF Paratroopers Brigade, was killed in battle on Oct. 7.
The relationship was established through the “Next October” initiative, which connects technology companies with bereaved families and encourages companies to commemorate those killed through projects centered on action, creativity and growth.
Members of Martsiano’s family recently attended a company event at which his mother, Frida, and sister, Chen, spoke about his life, personality and the values that guided him.
The company said the meeting strengthened its relationship with the family and its commitment to projects honoring Martsiano, with the aim of making his memory a continuing part of the company’s culture and daily work.
iTalent
Technology recruitment company iTalent is holding a memorial event at its offices that will also be open to the public, with a particular focus on bereaved siblings who may have few opportunities for private commemoration.
The event will feature a talk by Hadas Ganis Perry titled “Turning Crisis into Resilience.”
Over a period of two years, Ganis Perry lost both of her parents to cancer and her brother was killed at the Nova music festival during the Oct. 7 attack.
Lusha
Business data company Lusha will also host Avinatan Or, who was abducted from the Nova festival and held captive by Hamas for 738 days.
The event has a personal connection for Lusha employees. Or is a close friend of one employee who was heavily involved in the campaign for his release throughout his captivity.
Or will speak not only about his time in captivity but also about the ways he sought to cope with extreme conditions. His talk will focus on maintaining composure, resourcefulness and a sense of responsibility, as well as his determination to continue thinking, planning and solving problems when nearly all control over his circumstances had been taken from him.
The company said the discussion would explore how Or sought to preserve a sense of choice and personal identity throughout his captivity.
Taken together, the initiatives illustrate how Israeli workplaces are approaching the third anniversary of Oct. 7 not only through formal memorial ceremonies but also through personal testimony, encounters with bereaved families and projects intended to connect remembrance with community action.