**Gili Adar, 24**, was murdered on October 7, 2023, by Hamas terrorists at the Nova music festival in Re’im, Israel, while she was dancing and celebrating life.
At 6:50 a.m., Gili messaged her parents that something was happening but told them not to worry. Later, while hiding, she warned friends to stay away. Her last message came at 9:14 a.m.: “Until now I wasn’t afraid. Now I’m scared.” By 9:35, terrorists found and murdered her along with nearly 30 others, among the 364 victims of the attack.
Known as “Good Life Gili,” she was radiant, adventurous, and full of joy. She worked several jobs to fund her dream trip to South America and cared deeply for the lone soldiers she supported during her army service.
Gili worked at Camp Tel Yehudah in New York and Camp Ben Frankel in Illinois, where she built strong bonds with American Jewish youth. Her parents later visited these camps and felt her presence in the campers who still danced to Israeli songs in her honor.
Gili believed that young Jews should not have to choose between loving Israel and criticizing it, and that the connection between Israeli and American Jews must be nurtured with joy, music, and openness.
In her memory, a research center at Israel’s Geha Mental Health Center, a new nature trail in Lapid, and a memorial garden at her high school have been established. At Camp Tel Yehudah, a Star of David she helped build still stands tall, a symbol of her enduring light.
**The information on this page is part of the "Yizkor" commemoration project by the Ministry of Defense / the "La'ad" website by the National Insurance Institute, in memory of the fallen. We strive for accuracy and apologize for any errors. For corrections or comments, please contact us here: [https://aaciremembers.org/contact-us/](https://aaciremembers.org/contact-us/).
