Moving full circle: The father of a hero from the 'death shelter' will write the ketubah for Eliya Cohen and Ziv Abud

Almost three years after the Saturday that changed their lives, an extraordinary full circle moment is taking place for Eliya Cohen and Ziv Abud. On October 7, the two were in a 'migunit' (concrete shelter) in Re'im. Aner Shapira (of blessed memory), who fought heroically and threw back grenades tossed into the shelter, saved many of those present with his own body.

Ziv was among the survivors of the shelter, while Eliya was kidnapped to the Gaza Strip and returned to Israel after 505 days in captivity. Now, ahead of their wedding, the couple has chosen who will write their ketubah — Moshe Shapira, the father of Aner (of blessed memory).

"For us, this is a full circle moment that is hard to describe in words. Aner was part of the moment that changed our lives, and today his father will be the one to write our ketubah and take part in the moment where we choose life and love. It moves us very much," said Eliya Cohen and Ziv Abud.

"We have come a very long way since that day, and the wedding that is coming up now feels like a small victory of life. We want to thank Moshe Shapira for this special connection and for the privilege he is giving us," they added.

The wedding of Eliya Cohen and Ziv Abud will take place exactly in a week, on August 19, and will be for the two not only a day of love, but also a moment of coming full circle, remembrance, and moving forward with life.