Here Lived
Avraham Munder came to Nir Oz with the Hashomer Hatzair “Tzabar” group from Ramat Gan.
He met Ruti, who was part of the group, and they married at the age of 21 in 1966.
Their daughter Keren was born in 1969, followed by their son Roee in 1973, and they raised a warm, close, loving family on the kibbutz.
Avraham, known in the kibbutz as Munder, was a modest man, beautiful both inside and out. He was hardworking, dedicated, and responsible. He worked as a purchasing coordinator, and later served as the Nirlat warehouse manager until his retirement. Munder was a man of integrity, kind-hearted, and reserved – his
words and heart were always aligned. With his eloquent Hebrew and gentle tenor, he sang in choirs and found joy in the harmony of voices. He loved solving crossword puzzles and had a gift for reading stories, bringing them to life with his voice, always with a wink and a smile.
In his youth, he collected stamps and corresponded with people from all over the world. His love of soccer began on the field, and he remained a lifelong supporter of HaPoel Tel Aviv and Manchester United.
“Avramaleh,” as his family called him, was a devoted, loving family man, with a huge heart, a gentle sensitivity, and a unique sense of humor. His love embraced those surrounding him, and in the last nine years, it was especially felt by his only grandson, Ohad, who brought him immense pride, joy, and happiness.
Ruti (née Bendetz) joined the “Tzabar” group, following in the footsteps of her older sister Naomi, who had been part of the founding group of Nir Oz. From the early days of the kibbutz, she loved its strong sense of community.
Ruti always chooses to see the glass half full. She enjoys staying active – walking in nature, attending lectures, reading books, and continually enriching her life.
Ruti held many roles in the kibbutz: youth coordinator, manager of the general store and dining room, and caregiver in the children’s house. She also became the kibbutz hairdresser, revealing both a hardworking nature and a natural skill. She also taught sewing at the regional “Ma’ale HaBesor” school. For many years, Ruti was also responsible for assigning members to Shabbat work shifts.
Ruti and Munder were a loving, devoted couple who shared a rich life. Work, commitment, and responsibility were central to them both, and they served as a personal example throughout their lives. They nurtured their home and created a place of warmth, not only for their children, but also for Esti and Ze’ev, who came to the kibbutz as teenagers, and for dozens of group members, new families, immigrants in the “First Home in the Homeland” program, and volunteers. Over the years, they were all lovingly welcomed into their home.
October 7th
As they did every holiday, Keren and Ohad visited during Sukkot. Several hours before they were due to return home, the horrifying events of that Saturday began.
When terrorists broke into their home, Munder mustered all of his strength and held onto the handle of the safe-room door, trying to protect his family.
He remained behind, on his knees, and watched as Ruti was abducted into Gaza with their daughter Keren and grandson Ohad. When Ruti was kidnapped, she didn’t know what had happened to him, to her son Roee, or to their home and community.
Ruti was released during the first hostage deal, with Keren and Ohad. While in captivity, they learned of the murder of their beloved Roee. Only on the day of their release did they learn that Munder, too, had been taken hostage that same terrible Saturday.
Munder was brutally kidnapped from his home and abandoned in captivity for many long months, surviving under harsh conditions and wretchedness in the tunnels of Hamas. On February 14, 2024, he was murdered at the age of 79 following an IDF strike. In August 2024, he was returned to Israel for burial following a complex rescue operation by armed forces. Munder was laid to rest in Nir Oz, beside his son Roee, who was murdered on October 7, 2023, and now he has been brought to burial for the second time.
What Happened Since
Ruti joined the Nir Oz community in Karme Gat. She holds on to life, while carrying the unfathomable pain of the murder of her husband and her son. She longs for the day she’ll be able to return to live in Nir Oz, safely, alongside as many members of her community as possible.
