Matan Ekstein, 23: Avid surfer with a ‘captivating smile’
Murdered while trying to flee the Supernova music festival on October 7
Matan Ekstein, 23, from Even Yehuda, was murdered by Hamas terrorists while trying to flee the Supernova music festival on October 7.
He attended the rave with three close childhood friends — Ilay Nachman, Addir Mesika, and Sela Maagan. At the start of the rocket fire, they all fled the site of the rave and sought safety in a public bomb shelter.
When they heard the Hamas gunmen approaching, Sela and Matan decided to create a diversion, sprinting out of the shelter. The terrorists opened fire, and Matan was killed while Sela was wounded but managed to ultimately escape and survive. Ilay and Addir then also tried to fight back against the terrorists and were ultimately slain.
Matan was buried in Even Yehuda on October 11. He is survived by his parents, Miri and Erez, and his three siblings, Maayan, Dana and Nir.
He and Ilay and Addir grew up together in Even Yehuda and were active in their local scout troup. The three were all also known as avid surfers. They were buried side-by-side under a surfboard bearing their names.
Matan’s friend Guy Raz wrote on Instagram that he was “a pure person who was wholly full of joy and love. His love for the sea was something inseparable from him. He knew how to make everyone feel like they were the most loved in the world — this was his special trait. His incredible smile never left his face even months. He was an incredible friend and an even better person, knew how to help and listen to everyone.”
His sister-in-law, Natali, wrote on Facebook to “our Matani, the heart of everyone. I can’t believe they took you from us. Your whole life was still ahead of you. You took advantage of every minute and enjoyed life the way only you knew how. Your captivating smile will remain in our hearts forever.”
At a November 2023 memorial for the three friends, 1,500 people came to Netanya’s Poleg beach to surf together in their honor.
At the event, Miri, Matan’s mother, told Ynet that the three of them “were good kids and students, excellent combat soldiers. But more than that they were friends. They were big and happy kids who swallowed up what life had to offer them. They had big aspirations, they were just ahead of starting their studies.”
Miri said the three of them were “the firm foundations of this country, of this generation. Like a blazing sun spreading the light of life and joy. Like the roiling waters that surge and the sea and its waves that were a home to them.”
“Each of them was a whole world,” she added. “When they were alive, they touched the worlds of others, and in their deaths they illuminated the important things for us… to be good, to love, to offer a hand to others, to be part of the lives of others, to travel to new places, to be happy, to listen to music, just as they did.”
