Shalev Biton
Two Strangers, One Fate: A Story of Humanity in the Heart of Darkness

Shalev Biton, from Tel Aviv, is a student at the Rimon School of Music and a survivor of the Nova Music Festival. Before his journey as a speaker began, Shalev served as a combat soldier and squad leader in the Nahal Brigade’s 50th Battalion. Today, he meets with audiences worldwide to share his personal story and the transformative path he has walked since that day.

On October 7th, Shalev’s life was saved by Younes Al-Krenawi, an Israeli Bedouin man whose extraordinary bravery changed everything. This encounter became a defining moment for Shalev, leading him toward a journey of resilience and a deep commitment to human connection. He has since made it his mission to transform his traumatic experience into a platform for bringing people together.

In his talks, Shalev provides a firsthand account of the events of October 7th. He focuses on the human side of the story—exploring themes of empathy, courage, and the ways we can still find common ground and connection, even in the most challenging times.

Over the past year, Shalev and Younes’ story has been featured by CBS News, Sky News, and Jewish Insider. Shalev has had the privilege of meeting with over 170 different groups from all walks of life, religions, and cultures. He has spoken at world-renowned institutions such as Stanford, UC Berkeley, and Vanderbilt University, as well as at various student leadership conferences.