Two officials with materials maker UBQ Materials are among the more than 1,000 people killed in terrorist attacks in Israel.
On an Oct. 11 LinkedIn post, UBQ co-CEOs Albert Douer and Jack (Tato) Bigio said that assistant controller Hadar Rosenfeld-Berdicheskey and maintenance and engineering manager Uri Russo both were killed in the attacks that began Oct. 7 when operatives from the Palestinian militant group Hamas attacked Israel from Gaza.
According to the post, Rosenfeld-Berdicheskey "was murdered in her home" alongside her husband, Itay Berdicheskey. Officials said that Hadar and Itay "fought and neutralized seven terrorists in the defense of their family" and were able to hide their 10-month-old twins, Guy and Roey. Officials said the twins were rescued and are now safe with their grandparents.
Russo "was murdered by Hamas while bravely protecting his family and his community against the terrorists," according to the post. He is survived by his wife Dafna and their three daughters, Maya, Alona and Yaela.
"The past four days have been nothing short of a national nightmare that we are all living through," Douer and Bigio wrote. "Most of our employees and their families live in the south of Israel, directly in the line of fire.
"Our hearts are broken, and we send our deepest condolences to the Rosenfeld and Berdicheskey families. May they find strength, solace, and support in the midst of this heartbreaking loss. Hadar's and Uri's kindness, dedication, and wonderful memories will forever remain in our hearts."
UBQ's team in southern Israel "has lived through this most terrifying time alongside their loved ones, hiding in shelters while hearing shots and cries outside, trying to protect their beloved from being killed. Those who survived, have all lost close friends and family members to the brutal violence of Hamas."
UBQ is working to support team members who have lost their homes and all their belongings, and the surviving family members of Rosenfeld-Berdicheskey and Russo. The firm has set up a GoFundMe page.
"As a company, we will show fortitude and resilience through this horrific time. We have an outstanding team and will continue to pursue our mission to make our world a better place for us all," the company wrote.
UBQ is based in Tel Aviv and operates a production site in Tse'elim. Production of UBQ material uses unsorted municipal solid waste as its primary feedstock, diverting it from landfills and reducing emissions.