Returning to Re'im: A Family's Journey of Survival and Remembrance
Reut Karp and her children have returned to Kibbutz Re'im nearly two years after October 7, navigating severe trauma while preserving the memory of Dvir Karp, who was murdered by terrorists.
Almost two years after the horrors of October 7, Reut Karp and her three children have returned to their home in Kibbutz Re'im. For months, they lived away from home, first in Eilat and later in Tel Aviv, trying to piece together a life shattered in a single morning. On the refrigerator, the holiday schedule from the children's house still hung, a frozen moment in time. Dvir Karp, the children's father who was murdered by terrorists, also waited for them there in his own way, buried in Re'im with the knowledge that his family would eventually return.
On the morning of October 7, Reut was in Yehud while her children, Daria and Lavi, were with Dvir and his partner, Stav, in Re'im. Their eldest daughter, Lia, was staying with a friend in Ein HaShlosha. When terrorists breached the home, they murdered Dvir and Stav. Daria and Lavi were left alone in the safe room until Reut received a chilling call from Dvir's phone: "Mom, it's Daria. Dad is murdered, and Stav too. Help." The ensuing conversation lasted roughly three hours, a small part of which was recorded by Reut and became one of the most haunting audio documents of that day. "When Daria started telling me she was afraid to die, I just understood," Reut recalls. "In that split second, a decision is made—I am recording this. I am preserving my daughter's voice."
Maintaining absolute composure during the call was a matter of survival and instinct. Reut knew that showing panic could prompt the terrified children to leave the safe room. She focused entirely on keeping Daria calm, ensuring she breathed and had water, while offering steady reassurances of help, even when she knew how grim the reality was. Meanwhile, Lavi, then eight and a half and on the autism spectrum, remained frozen on the bed. He later told his mother he comforted himself with the thought that since terrorists had already ransacked the house and killed his father, they would see the bodies and leave the safe room alone. Simultaneously, Reut was texting Lia in Ein HaShlosha, desperately trying to keep her anchored without yet knowing the full scope of the tragedy.
Three years later, the children are navigating complex paths of recovery, dealing with severe post-traumatic stress. There is no linear path to healing. Daria, ten at the time, initially chose silence, while Lavi experienced severe behavioral outbursts and sensory challenges. Lia, the eldest, chose active remembrance, wearing a necklace with her father's image, tattooing a lotus flower he loved, and managing a digital memorial page. Recognizing the immense trauma they endured, Reut kept the children out of school for nearly two years, prioritizing emotional safety, stability, and family presence over traditional academics.
Amidst the grief, the family sought ways to honor Dvir's legacy. In June 2024, they opened the "Otef Re'im Cafe," utilizing Dvir's original recipes, raw materials, and molds to recreate his artisanal chocolates. For Reut, biting into one of Dvir's pralines is a tangible way to keep his artistry and memory alive. Though Reut and Dvir were separated at the time of his murder, the bond of deep respect and shared history remained unbroken. Today, Reut refuses to be defined solely by the image of unwavering strength. There are days when the world feels overwhelmingly heavy, and basic tasks are impossible. Yet, surrounded by her children and the memories etched into Kibbutz Re'im, she remains anchored in the belief that hope must prevail.
