Nova Festival Survivor Shares Harrowing October 7 Ordeal and Struggle with Addiction

Tomer Black, a survivor and co-founder of the Nova Festival, recounted his traumatic experience during the Hamas massacre on October 7 and the difficult aftermath he faced. Speaking at Channel 14's Resilience and Mental Health Conference, Black described the horror of witnessing hundreds of bodies, including soldiers and survivors, and the constant calls he received from friends urging him to contact families of victims. He recalled the overwhelming presence of death and its lasting psychological impact.

Following the massacre, Black established a rehabilitation center for Nova Festival survivors, initially based in Burj and later expanding to other events involving thousands. Despite dedicating months to helping others, Black revealed that the emotional toll led to a severe personal decline. Over the next two years, he struggled with drug addiction, losing his relationship, job, and family, and felt as though he had hit rock bottom.

Yuval Arel, who supported Black through his recovery, highlighted his journey as a powerful example of resilience. She noted that although Black descended into a very dark place, he managed to find strength and growth from his trauma, illustrating that even in darkness there can be opportunities for healing and light.

Black’s story underscores the profound mental health challenges faced by survivors of the October 7 massacre and the long road to recovery many endure.