Here Lived
This was the home of Sheer Yaakov, the daughter of Yair Yaakov z”l and Renana Yaakov – may she be granted a long life.
At the time of the horrific Shabbat, Sheer was 21 years old, had recently finished her military service, and was working with children in the kibbutz’s education system.
October 7th
On the morning of October 7, Sheer was in her apartment with her boyfriend, Yam Cohen, from Kibbutz Or HaNer. Yam was a lifeguard at Nir Oz’s swimming pool that summer. October 7 was supposed to be the last day the pool was open for the season.
Sheer had served in the army as an ABC warfare instructor for the Home Front Command. Her army boots remained outside her front door and apparently were seen by the terrorists as a sign that a soldier lived there.
Terrorists tried to break into Sheer’s safe room six different times during the day. Sheer and Yam survived due to their resourcefulness, physical strength, and a lot of luck. They took turns holding the door handle throughout the day.
They were rescued from the safe room in the early afternoon, when a local rescue team came to the neighborhood looking for survivors. Yam’s apartment, which was near the swimming pool, had been burned to the ground.
One of Sheer’s army boots was later found by an IDF soldier at the entrance to one of the terror tunnels in Khan Yunis.
What Happened Since
Sheer and Yam moved to Karme Gat together with the Nir Oz community, living near Sheer’s mother, Renana, and her two brothers, Or and Yagil. Sheer and Yam have since relocated to the United States, working on behalf of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
