October 7: A Story of Courage and Resurrection is a powerful, deeply human historical-fiction novel that gives voice to the unimaginable events of October 7 and to the resilience, unity, and moral courage that emerged in its aftermath. Blending meticulous research with emotionally rich storytelling, Dr. Tsafi Timor presents an intimate portrait of survivors, soldiers, and ordinary Israelis whose lives were shattered and transformed in a single day.
The story follows multiple intertwined narratives: Leora, a ninety-four-year-old Holocaust survivor forced once again to confront the darkest face of humanity; families torn from their homes during the Simchat Torah holiday; and the IDF combat pilots and rescue teams who faced impossible life-or-death dilemmas as they fought to save Israeli civilians. Through starvation, captivity, fire, fear, and extraordinary acts of bravery, these characters reflect the endurance of the human spirit when the world turns to chaos.
This novel honors real experiences while respecting the privacy of those still grieving. Its aim is clear: to ensure the world does not forget October 7, and to illuminate how compassion, solidarity, and the choices of ordinary people can rise against overwhelming darkness. Heartbreaking yet inspiring, it is a story rooted in truth, crafted with dignity, and essential reading for anyone seeking to understand how Israel found courage amid devastation.
Specifications
- Format: Softcover
- Publisher: Gefen Publishing House (Jerusalem / New York)
- Language: English
- Genre: Historical Fiction / Israel / Contemporary Jewish History
About the Author – Dr. Tsafi Timor
Dr. Tsafi Timor is an Israel-based author, lecturer, therapist, and scholar whose work centers on trauma, resilience, and the emotional landscape of human experience. With expertise spanning psychology, leadership, special education, English literature, and language, she brings a uniquely interdisciplinary approach to every book she writes. She holds both a PhD in Leadership and Special Education and an MSc in Psychology from the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom.
Dr. Timor’s writing is shaped by her years of clinical and educational work with children, adults, and families facing emotional hardship. Her understanding of trauma-response, identity formation, and the long echoes of memory deeply informs the characters in October 7. Prior to this novel, she authored two nonfiction works and two novels, including the well-received Walking a Tightrope and Footprints. She is an active member of the Association of Hebrew Authors and a respected voice in Israel’s literary and therapeutic communities.
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October 7: A Story of Courage and Resurrection
Gefen Publishing House is located in Jerusalem. It was founded in 1981 by Murray and Hana Greenfield. The Greenfields wanted to establish a printing house that would allow them the opportunity to tell the stories so important to the Jewish people and the land of Israel.
The enterprise is a family-run business, with their son Ilan as the current CEO. The publishing house prints approximately 40 titles a year specializing in English language books of Jewish and Israeli interest. Their books cover a wide variety of topics from Torah-related texts, Jewish history, fiction, children’s books, and more.