His Name Was Netta

Ayelet Epstein sits down, outside on her patio in their family home in Matan. At the time, it felt like another holiday meal, no one realized it would be the final evening they’d all share together. It was October 6th, the holiday of Simchat Torah. The last time Netta, her son, sat together with his family.

Netta was born in Kfar Aza, into a warm home. An energetic character, he spent his childhood outdoors, running around, and playing soccer. “It was a great passion of his,” says Ayelet, “he was a big fan of watching, and playing with friends. He had many friends. Well, girlfriends too.” She chuckles.

Irene was Netta's fiancée. “She was different, they were serious from the beginning of their relationship.” The two started dating when they were young, but were always sure of their future together. They knew early on they wanted to get married, and had even decided on a wedding date. “They had discussed kids' names,” smiled Ayelet. A strong partnership, the pair had a promising future.

Irene and Netta

Netta, in his short life, spread happiness across every person he encountered. Ayelet puts it simply: “He was just a happy soul.” He carried a deep tenderness for the elderly, and special compassion for children with disabilities. No matter the obstacle, be it language, culture, or circumstance, Netta had a gift for connecting with others, “he became your friend right away.”

Netta’s values stayed true and steadfast till the end. In his last moments, his intention was to protect his loved ones. 

The night before October 7th, Netta went home from his family gathering in Matan, to his apartment in Kfar Aza, with Irene. “We went to bed thinking tomorrow we'll go to the ‘Afifon-niada’ - kite festival - where we all make our own kites and fly them in the air,” recalled Ayelet. “They fly in the direction of Gaza. It's always been a symbol of peace and freedom.” She pauses, as that morning's memories begin to surface.

“We woke to the first siren just before 06:30.” They could hear above their heads the rockets flying over, the bombs, the gunshots. The screams. “We knew this wasn’t a drill, but nobody understood the extent of what was happening.” Ayelet called Netta right away, making sure he was awake and understood the severity of the situation. 

The kibbutz was filled with hundreds of terrorists. People lay in pools of their own blood, murdered on their doorsteps. “Just after 11 a.m., Netta wrote me his last message: ‘Mom, they’re here.’” 

Three terrorists invaded Netta’s apartment at that moment. They burst into the safe room, where Netta and Irene were hiding. It all happened in a matter of seconds. They threw in a grenade, and without hesitation, Netta immediately jumped on top of it. “He died on the spot.”

An entire life ended in a heartbeat. 

In the bravery and selflessness of his act, Netta saved his fiancée’s life. “He saved her twice,” Ayelet emphasizes. In jumping on the grenade, Netta protected Irene from getting injured, but the way he fell, kept her hidden the entire time. The terrorists never saw her behind Netta's body, she escaped the unfortunate fate that too many suffered that day.

Irene kept silent until the terrorists were out of sight. She stayed frozen for hours - broken and trembling - next to the body of her fiancé, her savior, the man who had given his life to protect hers.

A total of 64 people were murdered in Kfar Aza on October 7th. “There’s no hurt like this; nothing can even come close to what we went through that day,” Ayelet says, wiping away a tear.

“It's like losing a part of your body” is how she describes the pain of losing her son. They had a very close relationship, until the very end. “I miss him every day, every hour, every minute. Missing him is the hardest part.” 

Netta’s family at his funeral

When asked what she misses most about Netta, Ayelet answers without hesitation: “His good spirit. His ability to walk into the house, bring everyone together in laughter, telling jokes and singing.” His mother recalls how Netta was a force of unity who formed deep relationships with those he loved. 

Netta served in the Paratroopers Brigade. As one of his breaks approached, he called his mother. “Mom, we’re going on a date. Just you and me, not dad, not my sisters, just us. And you choose where”. 

“I chose our favorite restaurant. The two of us sat for hours, eating, laughing, talking. It’s probably one of my best memories with him,” Ayelet says. Netta wasn’t one for taking photos, and Ayelet remarks that she always had to force him. So, at the end of the meal, when she asked to take a picture together, she already predicted his response. When his response was, “Mom, this is your night, yeah let’s do it,” Ayelet was pleasantly surprised. 

“I cry every time I see that photo. But that’s okay.” 

Netta and Ayelet at their favorite restaurant

Remembering Netta is a key part of each day. “Memorial days are hard for us. The first one felt like his funeral all over again.” Netta’s family decided to commemorate his Memorial Day on his birthday. The day begins at the cemetery, and then friends and family gather to celebrate the life he lived, with music and food. For them, the intention is to carry forward the unity and joy Netta brought with him wherever he went.  

Ayelet ends the interview with a message to her son: “If you were here right now, I would tell you that you are so greatly missed, and we love you. We're trying to keep on living, be happy, for you and for us. Irene is a part of our family, like a daughter to me, we love her. I just wish you could see it.” 

Netta’s family have also started a training center for counselors who work with individuals with special needs, called ‘Team Netta’. The center operates under Jordan River Village, and is based on the educational philosophy and professional knowledge developed there. Team Netta is intended to be a community of counselors and young leaders working towards a better future. To join in continuing the legacy Netta left behind, see the link below.

Team Netta Website

Remember Netta Epstein Instagram