Polar bear in the desert

Asif Luger: A Polar Bear in the DesertAsif was a big, warm-hearted guy with a smile that could light up a room. If he opened his arms for a hug, you might notice a large polar bear tattooed on his right forearm. If you had asked him about his weekend plans, he probably would’ve told you about a great party he was excited to go to, a session with his electronic music mentor he was looking forward to, or a carefully packed coffee kit ready for a hike on Mount Carmel with his friends. Asif was killed in the Iron Swords War, after having already seen, felt, and achieved so much in life. It was only after he fell that we discovered the notes he left behind on his phone — and began to realize just how much he dreamed of doing. Songs he had written, ideas for music he planned to create. One note in particular became the cornerstone of the non-profit we founded in his memory — “Polar Bear in the Desert”: “• Travel more • Make music • Train a few times a week” Each one of these became a memorial project — and over the past year, some of them have already taken shape: “Travel more”Became a project to build a shaded rest stop on the Israel National Trail, near Kibbutz Yagur, where Asif grew up. There, hikers will be able to make coffee, relax in nature, and learn a bit about who Asif was. “Make music”Became three different initiatives: 🎵 A music room built at the Nirim Youth Village, where Asif volunteered for his service year. 🎵 Scholarships for outstanding young musicians in partnership with BPM College. 🎵 “Asif Festival” – an annual trance music party celebrating the genre he loved. “Train”Will become a pre-army fitness and leadership center for youth, built at Kibbutz Yagur. The project is in collaboration with “HaMaslul”, the pre-army training program where Asif trained for two years to prepare himself for meaningful service. Our crowdfunding campaign supports the non-profit’s goals and allows more people to engage with the things Asif loved and lived for. This is our way of hugging him back — Of carrying on the legacy he left us. Now it's our time to give it everything we've got — for him. Want to learn more or help in other ways? Please contact: 📞 Nina Hersztain-Shitrit – +972-50-2726554 Donations are accepted via JGive in collaboration with the Galila Foundation (recognized for tax purposes under Section 46 of Israeli tax law). All GBP donations will be used for the ‘travel more’ and ‘make music’ projects. Learn more:🌐 Polar Bear in the Desert – Official Website (Hebrew) 📸 Instagram 🎵 “Ad Bli Dai” – Rita performing lyrics by Asif (from Seven Songs in October)