It is not only the murdered Israelis, and the hostages, who are victims of Hamas’ atrocities. For some family members of those who were killed, the loss has been too much to bear, and they decide they cannot continue. The pain remains, the pain remains and kills. Such was the case with Vladislav Bongart, whose daughter was murdered on October 7, 2023. More on the Bongart family’s happy and modest little life before the older daughter Sofia was murdered, and what happened afterward, can be found here: “Father of woman killed at Nova festival commits suicide after devastating loss,” by Eli Ashkenazi, Jerusalem Post, March
Sofia Bongart loved red roses. She once told her family: “After I die, make me a white grave and bring me a red rose.”
She had just completed her military service and was beginning her adult life – a joyful and optimistic young woman. On October 7, she traveled with a close friend to the Nova music festival, where both were murdered.
Every week, her father, Vladislav, visited her white grave and placed red roses on it. He carried the pain inside, withdrawing and deteriorating. Ten days ago, he ended his life at 48 years old.
Now, in their apartment in Karmiel, Anna, his wife, and their younger daughter, Evelina, remain. Ten days after this second devastating blow, Anna spoke about the beautiful life their family once had and her attempt to rebuild while bearing immense grief.
Vladislav and Anna immigrated to Israel from Ukraine in 2006 with Sofia, who was four at the time. They arrived in Karmiel and started building their new life. In the Galilee, 13 years ago, their second daughter, Evelina, was born. A small, happy, and close-knit family.
“Vladislav’s dream was for us to have our own apartment so the girls would have their own space, something to hold onto after we were no longer here,” said Anna. The young couple worked hard, saved every shekel, and eventually bought an apartment….
On October 7, Sofia had gone with her best friend to the Nova Music Festival, and managed to flee the scene and sought safety at the Kibbutz Be’eri. And that is where she, and her best friend, among so many others, were both murdered.
The horror continued, and at approximately 11:30 a.m., Sofia made a desperate attempt to escape. She stepped outside – and was shot dead.
“Until that day, everything was great. We knew that moving to Israel was a good decision,” Anna said.But on October 7, everything collapsed….
Each morning, he went to work and came home in the afternoon, and twice a week, he visited the cemetery with red roses.
“At work, he never mentioned that his daughter had been murdered. He didn’t want people looking at him with pity. He refused help and was consumed from within. But I never feared he would harm himself,” Anna said.
Eleven days ago, the couple had planned to visit Vladislav’s relatives. A close uncle he was attached to had passed away, and they were going to pay a condolence visit. Anna returned home and, as planned, called him from the car.
Vladislav didn’t answer. She assumed he had fallen asleep. When she went up to their apartment and opened the door, she saw him – and realized what had happened. He had decided to end his life and the suffering he carried.
Now, only a mother and daughter remain from what was once a small, happy family.
“I will get up and face it. I have to provide for our home,” Anna said.
The family members of the murdered Israelis are victims, too, sometimes with a sickness unto death. They feel the thousand (un)natural shocks that their flesh is heir to.
The pain remains. The pain remains and kills.
Bagsgroove says
Hamas the bearers of such evil must be destroyed. We all pray for it.
Bagsgroove says
There is no end to the muslim evil. But they will face God’s wrath some day.
somehistory says
I pray that Day is soon. It has to be for any good people to survive. Jesus said so.
OLD GUY says
Islam needs to face our wrath now and GOD can deal with them when they are gone from the earth.
The longer we tolerate their rape, violence and murder of us non-muslim/islamic followers the stronger and bolder they will become.
Tolerance of Islam is a mistake. Islam has NO tolerance for us, they want us for slaves or dead period.
somehistory says
In a situation such as this, the one thing that has to be, is to think of the ones still living.
Imagine the pain the younger daughter feels. She lost her sister, and then her father. She must fear greatly that her mom will give up. How horrible for her.
these two remaining should remember the promise of Jesus; the promise of a resurrection.
carpediadem says
What a horrible post to make, To hope that 2 grieving members of a family whose daughter was murdered for being a JEW, and whose father killed himself from grief, further erase themselves as Jews by converting to your religion?
Who the hell do you think you are?
people like you help the evil of Hamas by seeking more erasure of Jews to bolster your belief system.
UGLY UGLY UGLY.
Hank says
I dare not think of what the Father of the Bibas family is going through right now.
This is why Islam must be repelled and expelled from the non-Muslim countries they invaded.
For Israel, after Oct 7, cannot return back or there will be many more cases like this. They must now annex Gaza, Judea & Samaria, etc. Islam has shown itself in script and action that it is a hateful, violent, murderous cult. Can’t have neighbors like that, let alone import and accommodate it and its followers.
James Lincoln says
Hank says,
“They must now annex Gaza, Judea & Samaria, etc.”
Yes.
After October 7th, not a single muslim should be allowed anywhere in Israel – including day work permits.
Tony says
Islam, the destroyer of civilizations, brings discrimination, terrorism, and violence against all Non-Muslims as Islam’s Muslims seek ultimate power and control. Islam’s destruction is impossible to bear for some.
The FRUIT of Islam, a Murderous-Gang Enterprise, is incessant WAR, ideological subversion, propaganda, terrorism, discrimination, slavery, malice, ISLAMIZATION, persecution, and violence against all Non-Muslims; this FACT must be taught and broadcast to the general public to prohibit Islam, its Mosques, its Courts, and its Schools(See Islamic Law Manual – “Reliance of the Traveller”, 9.0- and more). Also, Islam is an Antichrist System terrorizing Israel, Christians, and Non-Muslims(Quran 3:28,54; 5:51 and more). Plus, there is NO EQUALITY UNDER THE LAW in Islam or in Islamic Law(Quran 5:51; 9:29; 98:6-7 and more). In Sahih Bukhari(V6,B60,N80), Abu Huraira narrates, “‘You(Muslims) are the best of peoples ever raised for mankind.’ means, the best of peoples for the people, as you bring them[Non-Muslims] with chains on their necks till they embrace Islam[see Quran 3:110].” See also Quran 3:22,151; 69:30-32; 98:6-7.
skeptiker says
Traurig.