‘Salon Otef’ to bring Oct 7 survivors, hostage families to 450 gatherings across Israel

The 255 Hostages and Families Organization is organizing hundreds of gatherings across Israel in 2026 to give survivors of the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led massacre, former hostages, hostage families and members of the security and rescue forces an opportunity to share their firsthand experiences with the Israeli public.

The “Salon Otef” initiative will feature events at 450 locations across the country, including private homes, companies, public parks and schools, with thousands of people expected to attend the gatherings.

“Returned hostages, family members of living and deceased hostages, survivors of the massacre, bereaved families whose loved ones were murdered, and members of the security and rescue forces will share their personal stories in homes and communities across the country,” a statement released by the organization said.

“Thousands of people are expected to attend the gatherings, hearing stories they may not have encountered before and personal accounts of acts of courage alongside the profound loss of October 7,” the statement explained.

The initiative is being supported logistically and organizationally by Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF), the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, the Atid LaOtef movement, the Nova Tribe Community Association, Edut 710, the Kumu movement, the Kibbutz Movement and other organizations.

This year’s discussions will focus in part on how survivors and their families have coped with their losses, as well as their efforts to begin the rehabilitation process, return home and rebuild their lives.

Omri Miran, who spent 738 days in Hamas captivity before being released, is leading one of the “Salon Otef” gatherings this year.

“To understand what happened to us on October 7 and what the hostages and their families have endured since then, we need to hear the stories firsthand from those who lived through them,” Miran said.

“The hundreds of gatherings taking place across the country allow these stories to pass from person to person and from home to home. I see passing these stories on to the public as a whole and to the younger generation as an immensely important national mission — a life mission,” he continued.

The gatherings will follow a standard format, with survivors presenting their stories at their own pace and in their own way, followed by a group discussion and question-and-answer session. Some gatherings will also include music and other therapeutic activities.

Mor Peretz, CEO of 255, the Hostages and Families Organization, said, "The story of October 7 should first and foremost be told by those who were there and experienced it firsthand. They should make their voices heard, describe what they saw and endured, and ensure the story is told through their testimony.

The more these testimonies are heard and resonate in more homes and among more people, the better we can preserve the story as those who were there experienced it. ‘Salon Otef’ enables them to tell and write the story. As a society, we need to be there to listen, remember, and pass it on.”

"Three years after October 7, our responsibility is not only to remember what happened that day, but also to listen to the people who carry with them what they experienced on that terrible day and what they have endured ever since. The direct encounters created through ‘Salon Otef’ provide an opportunity to hear their testimonies and understand the ongoing challenges involved in recovery and rebuilding. KKL-JNF is proud to support an initiative that connects these personal stories with the Israeli public and helps preserve them as part of our shared memory," said Eyal Ostrinsky, Chairman of KKL-JNF.