Ranani Nidejelski Glazer, 23: Brazilian immigrant aspired to be a DJ

Ranani Nidejelski-Glazer, 23, from Petah Tikva, was murdered by Hamas terrorists while fleeing the Supernova music festival on October 7.

Ranani sought safety in a roadside bomb shelter, and managed to post a live video before he was murdered: “Bro, I swear you can’t invent this situation. In the middle of the party, suddenly we’re in a bunker, war started in Israel. At least we’re hiding here, protected. This feels like a movie scene,” he said.

His father, Ronen, later said that “I felt fear in his eyes as I watched. It was like he hoped it wouldn’t be the last video. Sadly, it was.”

Ranani’s family was not informed of his fate for several days: “Despair, hours upon hours of waiting without knowing anything, just hoping he would send a sign,” said his brother, Rudy.

He was buried at the Tel Regev Cemetery in Kfar Hasidim on October 11, just two days before his 24th birthday. He is survived by his parents, Tatiana and David Ronen, and his six siblings, Rudy, Elad, Aharon, Avishai, Aryeh and Baruch.

Ranani was born on October 13, 1999, in Porto Alegre, Brazil. Growing up in Porto Alegre, Ranani loved his local soccer team – Grêmio. He was joyful, musical, friendly, and full of life, his family said.

He played guitar and drums, wrote songs and dreamed of becoming a DJ. Alongside his passion for music, he was deeply connected to his Jewish identity and to Israel, actively participating in Jewish youth movements and community activities.

At age 16, Ranani moved to Israel by himself and settled in Petah Tikvah. At age 20, he enlisted in the IDF as a lone soldier, initially serving in the Education Corps’ Carmel Company. Determined to serve more actively, he later transferred to the Golani Brigade, his family said on a memorial website.

After completing his mandatory service, Ranani moved to Tel Aviv to live with friends. He returned to his great passion — music — working at festivals across the country, according to a state obituary.

His father, Ronen, said that despite working as a psychologist specializing in grief, he was unprepared for the devastation of losing Ranani.

“At 1 a.m., police officers and social workers knocked on my door. I knew exactly what they were going to tell me. But nothing prepares you for the feeling,” he said. “The hardest part was the funeral — when they lowered him — everything around me turned black.”

His brother Rudy said: “Angel face, my beloved brother… Your heart was too big for this world. I know you’re there now, dancing on God’s stage, surrounded by light and love.”

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