Three Years Later: A Mother's Fight to Remember Her Daughter Murdered at Nova

Three years after her daughter Daniela was murdered at the Nova festival by Hamas terrorists, Olga Furman reflects on the agonizing wait for news, the confirmation of her death, and the ongoing journey of remembering her.

On October 7, 2023, Olga was on a family trip in the north when rocket fire and chaos erupted in southern Israel. Unaware that Daniela and her partner, Daniel Goltman, had attended the festival near Kibbutz Re'im, Olga began making frantic phone calls as reports of the attack spread. Days of uncertainty followed, marked by unanswered calls, desperate searches through hospitals, and pleading for information until military and police officials delivered the devastating news at a command center in Lod.

Remembering Daniela

Daniela, known affectionately as Dana, was 23 years old. A former taekwondo athlete who dreamed of a future in sports, she had served in the IDF packing parachutes and hoped to marry and build a family. Her mother describes her as a vibrant, compassionate young woman who brought joy to everyone around her. Her partner, Daniel, remained by her side until the end, shielding her with his body during the attack.

"I want everyone to know that my heart is broken and it can never be healed, because I lost my daughter," Olga says. "And I also want to say that life goes on anyway. The heart is torn, it is here, and life goes on. There is a family and there are children, and we must continue to live. That is what Dana would want."

The Fight for Memorialization

For nearly three years, Olga battled local bureaucracy to establish a permanent memorial for her daughter. With the help of activists and city officials, funds were raised, and a dedicated bench overlooking the Mediterranean Sea was recently unveiled at Nirvana Beach in Haifa—one of Daniela's favorite places. Olga hopes the bench will serve as a peaceful spot where visitors can sit, take in the sea view, and remember Daniela.