Those we have lost

Lin Dafni, 22: Gifted amateur designer with a butterfly-like spirit

Murdered by Hamas terrorists at the Supernova music festival on October 7

Lin Dafni (Facebook).
Lin Dafni (Facebook).

Lin Dafni, 22, from Kibbutz Ein Hamifratz, was murdered by Hamas terrorists at the Supernova music festival on October 7.

She attended the rave with her best friend, Ziv Frenkel, who was also murdered that day, as was a third friend, Moriya Raviv. When the rocket fire began, Ziv texted her father about what was happening, but said she was fine and, “Don’t tell Mom anything.” Several hours later, Ziv texted her mom from Lin’s phone, saying: “Mom, we’re in a terror attack; I love you.”

That was the last anyone heard from either Frenkel or Dafni, who were considered missing for close to a week. The inseparable best friends were buried side by side in Kibbutz Ein Hamifratz in back-to-back funerals on October 15.

Dafni is survived by her parents, Ilil and Yogev, and her two younger brothers, Yahli and Eden.

Dafni was an avid traveler and spent four months in South America with Frenkel at the beginning of 2023 after their army service. The two went to Colombia, Costa Rica, Brazil, Guatemala, Mexico, and Ecuador and had countless adventures. According to a memorial post online, Dafni had a knack for creating great travel itineraries that made for fun and exciting trips, always making sure her companions were enjoying themselves just as much as she was.

She also had an eye for aesthetics and loved baking and preparing food. According to friends and family, Dafni would make beautiful cakes and fruit platters for her loved ones’ birthdays. In high school, she studied photography and particularly enjoyed photographing sunsets and uniquely plated food at restaurants.

מלאכית אהובה שלי,השבוע קרן שמש חיממה לי מעט את הלב הדואב והקפוא. בחורה צעירה ומקסימה ספרה לי שהיא חלמה עלייך.בחלומה היא ראתה אותך לבושה לבן. והיית צוחקת ושמחה, מוארת ויפה. ????????

Posted by Ilil Yalon Dafni on Thursday, January 18, 2024

Dafni loved the beach, which is where she often took her sunset photos. Friends recalled that she had an impressive bathing suit collection and would go to the beach every day after school when the weather was warm enough. Even without the beach, she loved being outside and exercising year-round. During her army service, she would gather her friends for spontaneous workout sessions using cleaning supplies and whatever weights they could find on hand, according to her memorial website.

At nearly 23 years old, Dafni had only just begun planning her future. She was interested in graphic and interior design and was also considering becoming a certified pilates instructor. According to her mother, Ilil, she was a free spirit, “like a magnificent butterfly.”

“Our beloved, sweet, pure Linush, who only wanted to live life to the fullest,” her father Yogev wrote on Facebook shortly after her death. “Your light, my beloved girl, will stay with us forever.”

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