There are times in life that demand something extraordinary from ordinary people. On October 7, Dr. Alon Barash’s life changed overnight. For more than 780 days, this Bar-Ilan University professor of anatomy and physical anthropology stepped away from his classroom and into what he calls “the most important work I never wanted”: identifying and returning the missing so that families could finally have answers, dignity, and the ability to mourn. Dr. Barash will reflect on who he was before the crisis, what he witnessed during these painful months, and how he now hopes to transform his experience into research and teaching that will strengthen Israel for the future.