Here Lived
This was the home of Carmela and Uri Dan from the 1990s. Carmela and Uri met in Nir Oz, were an integral part of the kibbutz, and active kibbutz members with much to contribute. They served in several different capacities in the kibbutz.
Carmela worked in the kitchen, in education, and as a beautician. Uri held various roles: building department manager, film teacher, and more. For ten years, from the time he turned 60, Uri was the military security coordinator of the kibbutz. For years he calmly handled hostile attacks and shelling on the kibbutz (Operation Pillar of Defense, Cast Lead, and the like).
Here, in this home, courageous military security coordinator Uri Dan z”l met his death. His heart stopped on January 6, 2017, after a long battle with illness.
Here, in this home, Carmela Dan z”l continued to welcome grandchildren, friends, and extended family members. Her house was always open, with cookies, warmth, and a place to rest one’s head.
October 7th
On October 7, Grandma Carmela was with Noya Dan, z”l, her beloved twelve-year-old granddaughter.
When the alerts sounded, they ran to the safe room and started texting with their family.
Grandma Carmela was calm and unworried, and Noya was a bit scared. Slowly, they realized that the situation was unusual. Grandma Carmela peeked outside the safe room and saw that her house had been broken into and looted. There was a big boom, the windows shattered, and the house was destroyed. With her cool demeanor and characteristic humor, she texted that she would send us photos of the destruction.
They remained in contact until noon, and then the connection with them was severed.
For about ten days, we thought they had been kidnapped. The house burned for a long time.
The entire Dan-Kalderon family worked together to save the hostages.
They gave interviews in every possible media outlet, both national and international. From Eilat, Hadas Kalderon, together with other Nir Oz evacuees, worked tirelessly for the return of her abducted children and their father Ofer. Galit was active from the Dead Sea location, where Kibbutz Kissufim was evacuated, to save her mother Carmela and her daughter Noya.
What Happened Since
On October 18, we received the devastating news. Carmela and Noya had been found dead, embracing each other in the safe room. Their bodies were intact. The safe room was sooty but not entirely burned. They have been murdered by Hamas terrorists.
They were buried side by side in Kibbutz Ein Hashofet, where Carmela was born.
