Elazar Samuelov, 21: Partygoer saw his large family as an anchor
Murdered by Hamas terrorists while fleeing the Supernova music festival on October 7
Elazar Samuelov, 21, from Ashdod, was murdered by Hamas terrorists while trying to flee the Supernova music festival on October 7.
Elazar attended the rave with his older brother, Meir. When the rocket fire began, the two tried to leave the site of the festival, and were shot at by Hamas gunmen along the road. Both Elazar and Meir were wounded, but kept driving, according to a municipal eulogy.
The brothers made it to the Sha’ar Hanegev Junction near Sderot, where a jeep full of Hamas terrorists shot at them, and Meir lost control of the car and crashed. He tried desperately to save Elazar, but realized it was too late. Meir, wounded, fled with another partygoer and was ultimately rescued and survived.
Elazar’s body was not recovered and identified for more than two weeks.
He was buried on October 23 in Ashdod. He is survived by his parents, Rachel and Jacky, and his eight siblings.
Elazar was the 7th child in his large ultra-Orthodox family, and grew up in Ashdod, attending local religious schools. Though he later left behind the Haredi way of life, he remained deeply connected to his faith and his family – he even had a tattoo reading “family” underneath an image of an anchor on his ribcage.
His family said he enjoyed spending time at the beach, surfing, playing matkot (Israeli paddle ball) and also enjoyed time out in nature.
Elazar’s brother, Shimon, wrote on social media on Memorial Day: “My beloved little brother. The longing is endless, I hope things are good for you up there and you are watching over us.”
His mother, Rachel, said Elazar “was particularly characterized by his joy. There was always a smile on his face. He loved to laugh and to be happy. Even when he got angry, he’d immediately calm down and laugh.”
A friend of his wrote online that he recalled “how you would dance on the dancefloor with a huge smile on your face and eyes sparkling with joy. You would spread good energy and love everywhere and make everything feel perfect. Your dedication to lifting everyone’s spirits and making us happy was unique.”