Those we have lost

Itai Houston Hadar, 27: Made a new friend every day

Killed at open-air Psyduck festival, located near the Gaza border, October 7

Itai Houston Hadar, 27, from Holon in an undated image. (courtesy)
Itai Houston Hadar, 27, from Holon in an undated image. (courtesy)

Itai Houston Hadar, 27, was murdered by Hamas at the Psyduck music festival near the Gaza border on October 7.

Hadar had a motto: “Every day you make a friend,” and that’s how the Beersheba-based musician lived.

Hadar, who, as a self-professed space cadet legally added Houston to his name, faced challenges growing up, including financial hardship. These experiences spurred him to found “Tzinorot Shel Shefa” (Pipelines of Plenty), an organization connecting donors to charitable targets.

On Fridays, Hadar stocked a free-food fridge with produce collected at the Beersheba market. Hadar grew up in Holon and was a familiar figure in Israel’s rollerblading scene.

When Hadar was reported missing, many of his friends joined the search. His body was found on October 11 in the area of the open-air Psyduck festival, located near the Gaza border between Kibbutz Nirim and Kibbutz Nir Oz, which he attended with his girlfriend, Zlata Kosovsky, who was also murdered.

Hadar’s funeral at the Holon Cemetery on October 15 was marked by music and dancing – the kind of colorful event his friends and family were certain he would have wanted.

Read more Those We Have Lost stories here.

Most Popular
read more:
If you’d like to comment, join
The Times of Israel Community.
Join The Times of Israel Community
Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Confirm Mail
Thank you! Now check your email
You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.