"Thank You and I Love You" : Ayelet & Gil Boyum - Kibbutz Be'eri

Ayelet Boyum is from Kibbutz Be’eri. She was married to Gil, a first responder, and together they raised four children. This is the story of what happened to her family on October 7.

That morning, Gil told Ayelet he needed to go out with the First Response Team. Only Ayelet and their son Adi remained in the house. Before leaving, Adi asked his father if he should take a gun from the safe. Gil told him yes. He told him to protect himself and his mother. Ayelet was shocked. This was not like Gil. She did not yet understand the danger they were facing.

Gil took his army-issued weapon and left. In the confusion and fear, Ayelet forgot the code to the safe, so they were unable to take a gun at all. At that point, they still did not fully realize what was happening around them.

About an hour later, Ayelet noticed that her son Inbar was not answering her calls. She tried repeatedly. Finally, she called Inbar’s friend Yuval, who told her that Inbar had gone back to his workplace to get a weapon and return to the kibbutz to help his father. Yuval was crying. Inbar was no longer answering. Gil was not answering either.

At around 10 a.m., terrorists broke into Ayelet’s home. She heard them shouting “Allah Akbar.” Four or five men went directly to the safe room door. Adi held the handle with all his strength while they tried to force it open. He physically fought to keep the door closed.

At the same time, Ayelet’s other children were in separate homes. Omer was alone in a small house. The door to his shelter room had been broken, leaving him with only a knife to defend himself. Anog was also alone. Ayelet calls their survival a miracle. They could have been murdered or kidnapped, but they were not.

Terrorists entered Ayelet’s home multiple times that day. Soldiers did not arrive until 11 p.m.

Ayelet lost both her husband Gil and her son Inbar. They were killed while outside their safe rooms, trying to protect others. They were killed because they were Jews.

And yet, Ayelet speaks of miracles. She speaks of her children, who give her strength and hope. She tells them, and herself, to look for one small thing each day. One small good thing.

Inbar was someone who always said thank you. Thank you for the food. Thank you for being my mother. Thank you for everything. Gil ended every night by telling Ayelet, “I love you.”

Ayelet says that when love and gratitude come together, they are powerful. And it is those small words, thank you and I love you, that continue to carry her forward.

The lights of Chanukah are meant to shine outward. They exist to publicize miracles. Not only ancient ones, but the miracles of courage, faith, and survival in every generation. Sigal’s story is one of those lights. A reminder that even after profound darkness, the Jewish people endure. That God’s care continues. Then, now, and always.

As we reflect on the bravery of Ayelet, Gil and Inbar, let's not forget all of the defenders of Israel and the Jewish people and all those who give of themselves everyday to protect others. Their stories deserve to be told and remembered.

Bring more light into the world. Share this story with others.

MORE STORIES

WITH GRATITUDE TO

ELLIOT AND DEBBIE GIBBER

WHOSE GENEROSITY BRINGS THESE STORIES TO LIGHT

Join the IDF Heroes Tehillim Circle

Honor the memory of a fallen soldier with a chapter of Tehillim.

How to Join

1. Download the free Abraham’s Legacy Tehillim app (iOS/Android).

2. Click here to join the IDF Heroes Circle → Join Now

3. Tap Start Reading — the app gives you the next chapter, no tracking needed.

   
   

Pray in Hebrew, English, Spanish, or French. Watch in real time as chapters and books are completed in the merit of our heroes.

Let us remember and honor those who have sacrificed so much. Together, we can keep their memories alive.