Israeli Reservists Refuse Military Service Amid Political Tensions

Igor Pibenev, an Israeli police officer who played a critical role during the Hamas attack on October 7, has tragically taken his own life. Pibenev, who was celebrated for killing over a dozen Hamas militants, confronted armed attackers on his way home, ultimately killing 13 before joining local security efforts to protect his community near the Gaza border. His wife, Hani Liderman-Pibenev, recently highlighted the emotional toll on survivors and called for proper mental health support for those suffering from survivor's guilt and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). “If there are people around you who have been deteriorating since that Shabbat, turn the world upside down to make sure they get professional help,” she urged. This tragedy reflects a broader concern, as the Israel Defense Forces noted a sharp increase in suicides among its soldiers since the conflict escalated. Reports also suggest that numerous survivors from the Nova festival have taken their own lives, fueling criticism of the Israeli government's support for affected families.

Rena Quint, an 89-year-old Holocaust survivor, recalls her harrowing experiences in Nazi concentration camps as she seeks to preserve the memory of the Shoah. Living in Jerusalem, Quint emphasizes that her survival was distinct—she did not hide but was imprisoned in a ghetto, labor camps, and concentration camps. According to a study by the Claims Conference, around 200,000 Jewish Holocaust survivors remain, but it is estimated that 70% will pass away in the next decade. Born as Freida Lichtenstein in Poland, Quint was separated from her family at six and later survived alone during the horrors of World War II. She vividly describes her liberation from Bergen-Belsen by British troops in 1945 and the chaos that ensued. Today, she has built a large family, consisting of 22 grandchildren and 56 great-grandchildren, after being adopted in the U.S. at age ten. Quint’s ongoing efforts to share her story reflect both a personal journey of survival and a compelling call for remembrance of the Holocaust’s tragic legacy.

Rena Quint, an 89-year-old Holocaust survivor living in Jerusalem, recounts her harrowing experiences during the Nazi genocide to ensure the memory of the Shoah endures. According to a study by the Claims Conference, approximately 70% of the over 200,000 Jewish survivors are expected to pass away in the next decade, underscoring the urgency of preserving their stories. Quint, originally named Freida Lichtenstein, survived the Holocaust after enduring life in ghettos, labor camps, and concentration camps. At the age of six, she lost her mother and siblings at the Treblinka extermination camp. She was later entrusted to a teacher before being sent to Bergen-Belsen, where she witnessed death and suffered from illnesses like typhus. Her story of liberation on April 15, 1945, remains vividly etched in her memory, as she recalls the overwhelming joy of being freed by British troops. Quint's autobiography, titled *A Daughter Of Many Mothers*, reflects her journey from trauma to a full life, now comprising a large family with 22 grandchildren and 56 great-grandchildren. She emphasizes the importance of sharing her story as a testament to survival and resilience.