Holocaust survivor, fighter, and educator Haim Shilo (Solo) returns to Kibbutz Nir Am two years after the October 7 terror attack, embodying Israel’s resilience, revival, and eternal optimism.
At the age of 100, Holocaust survivor and Israeli pioneer Haim Shilo (Solo) has returned to his home in Kibbutz Nir Am, two years after being uprooted in the wake of the October 7 massacre. His return is more than personal closure — it is a powerful national symbol of Israel’s unbreakable spirit.
Born in Germany, Shilo fled Nazi persecution before the outbreak of World War II, later becoming a fighter, educator, and builder of the State of Israel. As one of the founders of Kibbutz Nir Am, he devoted his life to community and education. For decades, he worked to empower fellow Holocaust survivors, volunteering through the Aviv for the Third Age Association to help them secure their rights. His dedication earned him the Medal of Light (2016) and the title of Honorary Citizen of the Eshkol Regional Council (2022).
Even today, Shilo remains active, staying connected with survivors, advisors, and training programs. Upon returning to Nir Am, he described his first night at home as peaceful, despite the dangers still looming at Israel’s borders:
“No matter what you think, I am at the end of my days, and the ones I care about are my children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.”
Remarkably, Nir Am itself continues to thrive — with waiting lists for families eager to join — reflecting the same optimism that Shilo has embodied throughout his century of life.
Attorney Aviva Silverman, founder of Aviv, praised him as “the spirit of revival — not only personal but national.” CEO Orly Sivan added, “His return is a source of strength and inspiration for us all.”
From the ashes of the Holocaust, through Israel’s wars, and now after surviving Hamas terror, Haim Shilo stands as living proof that the Jewish people cannot be broken.
