This emotional tradition has become a highlight of the annual marathon. Teenagers from across the country, along with OneFamily alumni, former counselors, bereaved families, and their support networks, run as one community—lifting each other up and moving forward together.
“These are People Who Truly Understand You”
Avichai Libman, whose brother Elikim was murdered at the Nova music festival in Re’im, shared:
“I’m running here with my friends from the organization and with the counselors—people who stand by me and help me in so many ways. I’m very thankful to them for everything.”
Shalev Ben Ari, son of the late Hagai Ben Ari—who was wounded during Operation Protective Edge and passed away nearly two years later—added: “This isn’t just a marathon. It’s so much more. These are people who really understand you. You can open up, share, and no one will judge you.”
“This Run is a Reminder That No One is Ever Alone”
Chantal and Marc Belzberg, founders and chairs of OneFamily, said:
“This is the dream come true—to see our teens running alongside families and alumni. A whole community that lifts, embraces, and never lets anyone fall alone. That’s the strength of OneFamily.”
Moshe Swil, the organization’s CEO, added: “For our teens, the marathon is a declaration—of memory, of hope, of a community that refuses to be broken. This run is a reminder that no one is ever alone.”
