Faith Amidst Terror: Testimonies of Belief from October 7th
Translated & summarized from Makor Rishon by baba
Testimonies from the "Edo't 710" archive reveal that many Israelis, religious and secular alike, turned to prayer and faith during the October 7th Hamas attacks. Some survivors found faith to be a source of strength and divine protection, while others grappled with difficult questions and shaken beliefs. The collected accounts highlight diverse responses to trauma, with faith serving as an anchor, a subject of questioning, or a childhood memory invoked in extreme fear. The "Edo't 710" archive has gathered over 2,400 testimonies and plans a commemorative event.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Many Israelis, including the non-religious, turned to prayer during the October 7th Hamas attacks, according to "Edo't 710" archive testimonies.
- Survivors like Nofer Geheli and Matan Gendelman found faith to be a source of strength and divine providence.
- Others, like Shuli Victor, struggle with faith, questioning God's presence amidst the atrocities.
- Civilian rescuer Rami Davidian and volunteer Meir Zander attribute their survival to divine intervention.
- Bereaved mother Aviva Nahum described a spiritual connection with her deceased son.
- The "Edo't 710" archive has collected over 2,400 testimonies and will host a commemorative event on October 8th.
Testimonies collected by the "Edo't 710" archive reveal a complex picture of faith in the wake of the October 7th attacks. During the Hamas assault, as terrorists breached homes and gunfire erupted, many individuals, including those not identifying as religious, turned to prayer for solace. For some survivors, faith became an anchor in the face of overwhelming disaster, while others emerged with profound questions and shaken beliefs.
Nofer Geheli, who survived the Nova music festival massacre, described finding a sense of divine providence while hiding from terrorists, alongside the need for personal resourcefulness. She stated her belief has strengthened since the attack and the loss of friends. Shuli Victor, a medical clown from Kibbutz Nir Oz who was not present during the attack but lost neighbors and friends, expressed a duality in his faith. While he clings to God in moments of anxiety, he struggles to reconcile religious answers with the atrocities committed, stating, "Nevertheless, there is no God, I say, but I am looking for Him."
Civilian rescuer Rami Davidian attributed his survival amidst intense gunfire and encounters with terrorists to divine intervention, referring to himself as a "messenger of God." Meir Zander, a Gerrer Hasid and United Hatzalah volunteer who treated dozens of casualties under fire, spoke of a "supervision that protected us," but noted that the profound questions about faith often arise after the immediate danger has passed.
Aviva Nahum, a bereaved mother whose son was killed at the Nova party, described a spiritual connection with him that transcends traditional religious practice. Matan Gendelman, who hid with her family in a safe room for 20 hours during the attack on Kibbutz Kfar Aza, recalled reciting the "Shema Yisrael" prayer repeatedly when she could barely remember how to pray, a prayer that helped her family survive.
The "Edo't 710" initiative has collected over 2,400 video testimonies from October 7th. The archive aims to preserve these accounts for memory, education, research, and creative endeavors. To mark the three-year anniversary of the massacre, the project will host a multidisciplinary event in Tel Aviv on October 8th, featuring discussions, panels, and performances with survivors and bereaved families.
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