(Motortion Films / Shutterstock.com)
They say a picture is worth more than a thousand words. For those who have lost loved ones, images that bring memories to life can be priceless.
In times of grief, community support becomes essential. In Israel, a Facebook group called “Smart Photoshop” has become a source of comfort, mako reports. Members use AI tools to create pictures and videos of family members embracing their loved ones who were killed on October 7. The revived images provide solace during difficult times.
Facebook Group Supports Bereaved Israelis Through AI
Recently, Israeli family members who are mourning the loss of their loved ones have taken to the Facebook group, which has 332,000 members, with moving requests to create a video with a hug of their loved ones who are no longer around.
Tal Hacham, who manages the group, used AI to create a video where Sarit, Dvir Zakai's mother, appears to hug her son. Zakai was killed battling Hamas terrorists on October 7. “Dvir's mother misses her hero and just wants another hug. I did it, but I invite you too,” Hacham wrote on the Facebook group, according to mako.
Reviving the Memories of Those Lost at the NOVA Festival
Natalia Casarotti, the mother of Keshet Casarotti-Kalfa, who was murdered at the NOVA Festival, also had her wish fulfilled. Two weeks before his death, his mother celebrated turning 50. Keshet was supposed to come home the day after the festival to give her a birthday hug, but instead, she received the heartbreaking news of his death.
“Hello everyone, I was told they do magic here and bring hugs. I would love one last hug from my son Keshet,” Casarotti wrote in the Facebook group. Users responded with hundreds of comments, sharing AI-generated videos of the mother and son hugging, created from the images she uploaded. One video included Casarotti and her son, with balloons of the number 50, a birthday celebration that never took place.
Members of the group also helped Shelly Mashal Yogev, who wanted one more hug with her daughter Libi Cohen Maguiri, who was killed at the festival.
“I so much want to hug my Libby again. Maybe someone here knows how to make us hug,” Mashal Yogev wrote in a post on Facebook, which included separate photos of her and her daughter, according to Israel Hayom. Within a few hours her post was flooded with comments of AI videos and pictures of them embracing.
A Sister’s Wish Fulfilled
Amit Mann was a paramedic who was murdered at the clinic of Kibbutz Be’eri while trying to help people. According to mako, her sister Marie Veron turned to the Facebook group, asking for a photo of Mann and her mother hugging on a couch — to be turned into a video so the moment could be remembered. Users posted touching AI videos of the two, along with heartwarming comments to honor the heroine.
“This precious group immediately steps up, and those who can't help with the editing send warm words of sympathy, and lots and lots of love," says Hacham. Amid tragedy, the group’s support through AI videos and heartfelt comments may provide Israeli families with strength, showing that even in the darkest times, technology can bring people together and offer comfort.
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