Inside ZAKA: A Volunteer's Harrowing Mission After October 7

The human spirit faces immense trials when confronted with profound tragedy, prompting questions about how individuals process devastating experiences and dedicate their lives to the most sensitive missions. In a candid interview, ZAKA volunteer commander Shneor Gol opens up about his mission, recalling the events that led him to join the organization and describing the harrowing days at the Shura military base and various disaster sites following the October 7 massacres.

Gol offers a unique glimpse into the meticulous and painstaking work carried out with strict adherence to human dignity, sharing the psychological toll that volunteers endure in their daily lives. He explains how deep faith, mutual responsibility, and an unwavering sense of mission emerge from the abyss of loss and destruction.

He Died in My Hands

Shneor Gol's journey into volunteer work began at the age of 17 and a half when he volunteered with MDA. An emergency call involving a man who collapsed in the street, with his wife and children begging for his life, fundamentally altered his path. Gol attempted resuscitation, but the man passed away.

He literally died in my hands, Gol recalls.

That evening, unable to shake the haunting images and screams, his yeshiva dean noticed his distress and suggested that perhaps this experience pointed to a higher calling, steering him toward handling the deceased through Chevra Kadisha. Since then, treating the dead with dignity has become his way of life.

Dozens of Bodies: A Shocking Reality

Following October 7, Shneor arrived at the Shura base to join the casualty identification and handling operation. He describes the initial shock of seeing a large refrigerated truck filled with dozens of bodies. Unable to process the magnitude of the sights, he momentarily froze before receiving orders to begin the mechanical process of receiving, documenting, and identifying the remains.

The psychological toll manifested physically; at one point, while trying to eat, colleagues noted his food was spoiled, yet he could not smell it. Medical checks later revealed he had temporarily lost his sense of smell during his intense service at the base.

The Hardship of Returning Home

While months at the Shura base were intense, Gol emphasizes that the continuous action provided strength rather than just exhaustion. People often assume volunteers only give, but Gol insists the mission provides deep inner strength and a profound understanding of life's purpose.

The greater difficulty, however, arose when returning home to solitude. While active at the base, the mission, pace, and surrounding people maintained momentum. At home, the images and memories resurfaced relentlessly.

Gol also recounts the agonizing duty of notifying bereaved families and shares the story of a young boy whose father was murdered in a Bnei Brak terror attack. The boy, pleading for reassurance, formed a lasting bond with Gol, dedicating himself to studying Talmud in his father's memory and providing updates upon completing each tractate.