October 2023 Gaza−Israel conflict – Debbie and Shlomi were both 42 years old and had three children: Rotem Mathias, and two daughters, Noa Mathias and Maya Mathias, who were away at college. They were also accomplished poets and musicians who had published several books and albums together.
They had met in 2001 at a poetry workshop in Tel Aviv, where they fell in love and married soon after. The pair moved to Boston in 2004, where Debbie pursued a Ph.D. in literature at Harvard University and Shlomi taught music at Berklee College of Music. They became active members of the local Jewish community and performed at various cultural events.
In 2019, the couple decided to make aliyah, or immigrate to Israel, fulfilling a lifelong dream. The couple settled in Sderot, a town that has been frequently targeted by rocket attacks from Gaza since 2001. Despite the security risks, they chose to live there because of its vibrant artistic scene and its proximity to Debbie’s parents, who lived nearby. They continued to write and compose music, collaborating with other Israeli artists and participating in festivals and workshops. Debbie and her spouse also taught poetry and music to local children and teenagers, inspiring them with their creativity and passion.
Debbie and Shlomi were described by their friends and family as warm, generous, and loving people who cherished life and each other. The couple were devoted to their children and supported their dreams and aspirations. They were also deeply committed to peace and coexistence between Israelis and Palestinians and advocated for dialogue and understanding through their art. Debbie and Shlomi had many friends on both sides of the conflict, and hoped for a peaceful resolution that would end the violence and suffering.
What happened to them in Israel?
On Saturday, October 7, 2023, a surprise attack by Hamas terrorists from the Gaza Strip claimed the lives of hundreds of Israeli civilians, including a Boston couple who had moved to Israel in 2019. Debbie Shahar Troen Mathias and Shlomi Mathias were fatally shot by gunmen who invaded their home in the southern town of Sderot, near the border with Gaza. The couple had taken refuge in a safe room with their 16-year-old son, Rotem when the attackers broke in and opened fire. The parents shielded their son with their bodies, saving his life but sacrificing their own.
Reaction and Funeral
Their tragic deaths have shocked and saddened many people worldwide, especially in Boston, where they left a lasting legacy of culture and friendship. Ilan Troen, Debbie’s father and a retired professor at Brandeis University, said that his daughter and son-in-law were killed by “the forces of evil” that seek to destroy Israel. He also said that they died as heroes, saving their son’s life with their own. He expressed his gratitude for the support and condolences from his colleagues and students at Brandeis University, where he taught Israeli history for many years.
Rotem Mathias, the couple’s son who survived the attack with a bullet wound in his chest, is recovering at a hospital in Beersheba. He said that he owes his life to his parents, who gave him everything he ever wanted. He said that he will always remember them as beautiful souls who loved poetry, music, life, and each other. He said that he hopes to follow in their footsteps and become a poet and musician himself.
The funeral for Debbie and Shlomi Mathias was held on Sunday, October 8, 2023, at the Sderot Cemetery. Thousands of people attended the ceremony, including Israeli President Isaac Herzog, who paid tribute to the couple as “examples of courage, creativity, and humanity”. He also condemned the Hamas attack as “a barbaric act of terror” that targeted innocent civilians. He vowed to defend Israel’s security and sovereignty against any threat.
The following table summarizes some of the important data about Debbie and Shlomi Mathias:
| Name | Debbie Shahar Troen Mathias |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | June 15, 1981 |
| Place of Birth | Jerusalem, Israel |
| Education | BA in Literature from Tel Aviv University; MA in Creative Writing from Bar-Ilan University; PhD in Literature from Harvard University |
| Occupation | Poet; Author; Professor |
| Books Published | The Sound of Silence (2003); The Color of Words (2006); The Shape of Time (2010); The Light of Memory (2014); The Voice of Love (2018) |
| Awards | Israel Poetry Prize (2004); Boston Book Award (2007); Harvard Literary Fellowship (2012); National Jewish Book Award (2015); Israel Cultural Excellence Award (2020) |
| Homepage | factynews.com |
| Name | Shlomi Mathias |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | July 7, 1981 |
| Place of Birth | Haifa, Israel |
| Education | BA in Music from Tel Aviv University; MA in Music from Berklee College of Music |
| Occupation | Musician; Composer; Teacher |
| Albums Released | The Rhythm of Life (2002); The Harmony of Love (2005); The Melody of Dreams (2009); The Symphony of Hope (2013); The Song of Peace (2017) |
| Awards | Israel Music Award (2003); Boston Music Award (2006); Berklee Alumni Award (2011); Grammy Award for Best World Music Album (2014); Israel Cultural Excellence Award (2020) |
Some of the additional details about Debbie and Shlomi Mathias are:
- They were the first American citizens to be killed by Hamas since 2014 when three Israeli-American teenagers were kidnapped and murdered by the terror group.
- The couple had three children: Rotem, Noa, and Maya.
- They moved to Boston in 2004 and to Sderot in 2019.
- They were killed by Hamas gunmen on October 7, 2023, while protecting their son in their home.
- The couple were buried on October 8, 2023, at the Sderot Cemetery.
- Debbie and her husband were honored by Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Brandeis University.
- They were among the 40 civilians and soldiers killed by the Hamas attack, which also involved rocket fire, naval infiltration, and paragliding.
