In Memory Of Kim Damti

Our startup, The Book Screen, honors the memory of Kim Damti, who was tragically murdered at the Nova Event on the Black Saturday of October 7th, 2023. This tribute is part of the "Next October" initiative, led by Yizhar Shai, encouraging Israeli startups to honor the heroes and victims of that fateful day.
I had the privilege of meeting Kim Damti before her untimely death in Gedera, where she worked at her family's well-known business, Falafel Damti. Throughout August 2023, I visited there weekly after teaching a Creative Writing workshop to children and teens at the public library in Gedera, located in front of Damti's Falafel. I remember her as a beautiful young woman with a warm smile.
After her passing, I spoke with her mother, Jennifer, and her sisters, Laura and Emily, who shared how much Kim loved writing stories and reading books. Kim was an excellent student in high school and planned to continue her studies in Marine Biology at university after her army service. She was murdered at the Nova Party by Hamas, who shot everyone hiding in the portable bomb shelter, after she had completed her service in the IDF Navy.
I felt a profound connection, realizing that Kim would be proud to be part of our startup, The Book Screen. Our mission is to motivate children and teens to read fiction books in Hebrew and English through an innovative and interactive experience. Her family shares this sentiment, believing that Kim’s spirit and love for literature live on through our work.