Tel Aviv University (TAU) and the Gray Foundation are unveiling a new memorial on the university's campus, three years after the October 7 attack. Titled Voices Etched in Memory — Open Memorial Space, the memorial honors those who lost their lives on October 7 and in the ensuing war, while providing a place for remembrance, gathering and reflection.
Designed by architect Lihi Davidovich Ein Gedi, whose proposal was selected from 147 submissions in an open design competition, the project was made possible by a gift from the Gray Foundation.
The memorial is located at a major intersection of campus walkways, near the central plaza and Gilman Building. Its design incorporates a path that passes through the space, making it part of everyday campus life rather than a separate destination. The concept reflects the university's intention to create an inclusive space where grief and remembrance can coexist with the continuity of life and hope.
The competition jury noted that the memorial's integration into the campus reflects the university's values of democracy, pluralism, freedom of expression and social responsibility.
At the center of the memorial is a Corten steel wall engraved with phrases inspired by memorial stickers that appeared in public spaces across Israel and around the world following October 7. Created by families and friends, the stickers commemorate those who were killed through messages reflecting their personalities, values and worldviews.
Many of the phrases focus on life, expressing themes of love, friendship, courage and hope. The memorial brings these individual voices together, turning messages that were originally temporary into a lasting presence on campus.
The physical memorial is accompanied by a growing digital archive containing nearly 1,000 memorial stickers. The collection was established for documentation, research and remembrance, and visitors can explore the archive and learn about the project's concept through its dedicated website. A QR code at the site also provides access to the archive, while the public can use the website to submit additional stickers for inclusion.
TAU President Prof. Ariel Porat said the memorial would honor those killed on October 7 and during the subsequent war.
“This memorial, a joint initiative of the Gray Foundation and Tel Aviv University, will honor the memory of our murdered and fallen brothers and sisters, lost on October 7 and in the ensuing war,” he said. “It will remind us, every day, of the heavy price we pay for living in this country. I believe it will also remind us that the pursuit of peace must never cease.”
Jon and Mindy Gray said their decision to support the project was prompted by the events of October 7.
“Our gift to the TAU medical faculty was catalyzed by the horrors of October 7th. It was vital that we honor those precious souls — in remembrance, but also in celebration of their lives,” they said. “This remarkable design is a powerful dialogue between the devastation of loss and the relentless promise of the future.”
Davidovich Ein Gedi said the design process involved considering how to create a space for an event that remains deeply painful and present in Israeli society.
“Designing this memorial was a great privilege and a profound responsibility,” she said. “I asked myself how to create a place of remembrance for an event that is still so painful and present in our lives, and how to allow memory and life to exist side by side.”
She said she wanted the memorial to become an integral part of the campus, allowing people either to visit specifically or encounter it as part of their daily routine.
Working with hundreds of commemorative phrases revealed a range of perspectives and values, she added, with many messages expressing hope and an appreciation for life despite the loss.
“To me, this diversity holds special meaning at a university, a place of knowledge, dialogue, and encounters between people and ideas,” she said. “I hope the words engraved here will continue to preserve the memory of those who are no longer with us, touching and inspiring people for many years to come. Remembrance as part of life.”