OTEF — preserving the memory and testimony of 7 October
The name OTEF is connected to the tragedy of 7 October 2023 in the Otef Aza region, the communities that were the first to face the attack. The word otef carries another meaning as well: in Hebrew it means “to wrap”, “to embrace”, “to stay close”. That is exactly the project's mission — to surround memory with care and to keep the stories, voices and testimony of the people who lived through that day from dissolving into the news cycle.
OTEF is an independent, volunteer project made by only 2 people. The team records eyewitness accounts, documents the consequences of the attack and creates documentary films from the material it collects. The films are shot at the sites of the tragedy — with residents of the kibbutzim, people who were at the NOVA festival, ZAKA and MDA volunteers, police officers, soldiers and others. Each interview preserves a part of Israel's living history and helps audiences in Israel and abroad hear it directly from the people who were there.
Why support is needed
- Filming, editing and post-production. Professional production takes many hours of work, with no weekends and no holidays, as well as monthly subscriptions and licences for the different programs used in production. Dozens of hours of important material have already been recorded and are waiting to be edited. OTEF has released more than 30 films, and a new one comes out every 3 weeks.
- Travel and organisation. Interviews are filmed throughout Israel. The main filming location is the border with Gaza, at the sites of the tragedy. Every trip therefore involves transport, fuel, accommodation, meals and logistics for the project's creators.
- Promotion. Ongoing work on YouTube, creating and designing thumbnails, holding premieres and working with social media to promote each film. Regular travel for interviews, to television studios and to various publications, and replying to comments as part of the project's advocacy work. All of this takes many hours of work and money for travel.
OTEF is the winner of the “Svetlaya Polosa — 2025” award.
This award is the result of the enormous support of Israel and of all the viewers and subscribers of the channel.