Brave survivors to tell their stories at The Nova Music festival New York: October 7 06:29 am
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Survivors of the Nova festival are photographed by David Needleman at the recreation of the festival grounds at the Nova Music festival Exposition on April 17, 2024 in New York City. Clockwise from top left: Ofir Amir, Tomer Meir, Natalie Sanandaji, Omri Sasi, Shye Klein, Paz Amar, Reef Peretz, Daniel Dvir, Lee Sassi and Raz Malka.
It has been six months since hundreds of spectators were killed during the devastating terrorist attack on the Nova Music festival in October 2023, where Hamas militants stormed the event at sunrise during the electronic dance music celebration of the Jewish holiday Simchat Torah.
The remnants left behind are now on display in New York as part of a moving immersive exhibition called The Nova Music festival Exhibition: 7 October 06:29am, which will be open to the public from Sunday (April 21).
The installation features debris salvaged from the festival grounds, including burnt-out cars, bullet-riddled bathroom counters and personal belongings left behind. There is additionally a healing scene, a beacon with the statement, “We'll dance again.” The New York exhibit also includes video testimonies from survivors, volunteers and family members, as well as raw footage taken on October 7 by both festival-goers and Hamas fighters. Donations from the show will go to the Nova Healing Journey, an initiative that supports mental health treatment for the victims and families of the October 7 massacre.
Several survivors of the brutal attack are the focus of the exhibition and Advertising sign took photos of the brave team during a preview of the facility. Check out the powerful survivors and their stories below.
Li Shashi, 25
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The US citizen from California was attending the music festival with several family members and tragically lost her cousin and uncle, the latter of whom used his body to shield others from grenades in the bomb shelter they were hiding in.
David Needleman
Shy Klein, 26
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The Canadian-Israeli photographer, who had moved to Israel just six months before the attack, was capturing photos of the festival, and the viral footage he captured of his escape helped identify both survivors and victims.
David Needleman
Natalie Sanandaji, 28
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The Long Island, New York, native worked in real estate before the tragic attack inspired her to turn her life around. He now serves as a public affairs officer for the Anti-Semitism Movement.
David Needleman
Tomer Meir, 21
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Mier was released from military duty after serving two years as a medic for the parachute unit after the attacks. He began his healing with friends he attended the festival with, finding healing and hope through meaningful conversation and finding joy in things like going to the beach.
David Needleman
Daniel Dvir, 23
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Dvir was born and raised in Israel and broke up with her best friend after she left the festival when the two ran into Hamas terrorists on the street. Dvir ran seven kilometers and hid in a tree, a farm and a riverbed before her dad drove more than an hour to find her and bring her to safety.
David Needleman
Ofir Amir, 42
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Nova Community co-founder and CFO and co-producer of the Nova Music festival Exhibition worked to save attendees from the shooting. He was shot in both legs while his wife was nine months pregnant at home during the attack.
David Needleman
Yagil Rimoni, 39
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The co-founder and CEO of Nova Community and co-producer of the Nova Music festival Exhibition lost several friends as well as his five-months-pregnant cousin and her husband during the shooting. Like Amir, he helped save many festival goers.
David Needleman
Paz Amar, 26
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The Nova festival producer managed to escape by car to a nearby Israeli community after a close encounter with a vehicle carrying members of Hamas. More than 100 of Paz's friends have been murdered or kidnapped by Hamas.
David Needleman
Reef Peretz, 33
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The Nova Foundation Tribal Chairman was one of the producers of the music festival, who has since dedicated his life to leading efforts to support and heal survivors of significant trauma and post-trauma.
David Needleman
Raj Malka
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The Nova Music festival producer worked with Israeli authorities to help the survivor community, including National Insurance, the Ministry of Welfare and others.
David Needleman
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/nova-music-festival-survivors-nyc-exhibit-1235661758/
