Leading with Light

On the morning of October 7, 2023, at 7:07 a.m., Ofir Libstein’s life was cut short in battle in Kfar Aza.

On that dark day, we also lost his son Nitzan, and along with them, the lives of thousands of Israelis were cut short. But while Ofir’s life ended at the age of fifty, the legacy he left behind is eternal—a legacy of human leadership that will continue to light our path for the next hundred years and beyond.

This book is not a biography. It is a living document chronicling “Ophir’s Way—Human Leadership”—a unique approach to leadership that places the individual at the center. Ophir Libstein was no ordinary leader. He was a man who saw the humanity in everyone, knew how to truly listen, and believed with all his heart that the right way to lead is through genuine connection with people.

Ophir’s way was embodied in every aspect of his life: as a devoted son to his parents and a close brother to his siblings; as a loving husband to Vered; as a devoted father to Aviv, Idan, Uri, and the late Nitzan; as head of the Sha’ar HaNegev Regional Council; and as a community leader who worked tirelessly for the residents of the region, the citizens of the country, and the entire Jewish people. He did not view his roles as mere positions or titles, but as a true calling. For him, leadership was a way of life centered on giving, listening, and acting on behalf of others, wherever they may be.

“Human Leadership,” the concept we have chosen to represent and commemorate his memory, embodies the profound values that guided Ofir. It is an approach that combines strength and compassion, determination and sensitivity, a broad perspective and the ability to connect with even the smallest details. Ophir believed that true leadership grows out of a deep connection to people and their needs, and that the way to bring about change is by building trust and creating a strong, united community.

The tragedy of October 7, 2023, changed the face of our country and our lives forever. It seems that precisely in these days of pain, loss, and uncertainty,

Ophir’s legacy takes on even greater significance. The immense challenges we face as a society compel us to embrace his approach to leadership: a path of unity, dialogue, and building bridges between people and communities.

The “Ophir Light Foundation,” established to commemorate his memory and legacy, and this book you hold in your hands, are more than a tribute to a dear person we have lost. They are practical tools for spreading and embedding the path of humanistic leadership that Ofir represented—a path that can and must guide us in building a better future, a future in which leadership speaks the language of humanity and closeness, and serves people, rather than the other way around. The “Ophir Ray Foundation” follows in his footsteps, both to honor his memory as a person and to carry on his legacy through the various initiatives he conceived and implemented.

In the following pages, you will find Ophir’s story, told through my own words, his own words, and the words of those who knew him. By reflecting on his deeds, his work, and his way of life, I have created a leadership model that preserves his values and enables every person to be a leader and an influencer.

Some of the quotes and messages that appear in this book were not spoken by Ofir during his lifetime, but they all stemmed from the deep connection between us. Throughout the writing of this book, I continued to converse with him in my heart, in my mind, and in my soul. The book was created by listening to the inner dialogue between us, and it reflects both his life and his presence, which continues to guide me and all of us, even after his passing.