A Trauma Survivor’s Story: From Terror to Hope and the Power of Kindness
- Healing with Hannah
- Oct 23, 2024
- 2 min read
This past Friday night, October 4th, 2024, I had the honor of hearing Daniel Vaknine share his firsthand experience of the NOVA Attacks in Israel.
Daniel doesn’t like being called a “survivor.”
He explained, “Like my grandfather, who survived the Holocaust, used to say, ‘Hitler didn’t win—I won.’” Daniel’s grandfather would point to a large family photo of children and grandchildren born after World War II to prove his point:
“I am the winner.”
In his early thirties, with two pierced ears—one featuring a hoop with a yellow ribbon to show support for the hostages taken by Hamas—Daniel looks like any young guy who enjoys music festivals. He was at the festival with friends when the missiles started. After driving to a nearby bomb shelter, he found himself ducking under fire from automatic rifles. Miraculously, he escaped, taking refuge with a few friends at a local kibbutz. They were housed by a Polish Holocaust survivor.
Daniel not only shared the terror of escaping the traumatic attack but also the anguish of hiding at the woman’s home, glued to his phone as he received texts, posts, and reels showing his friends being attacked, kidnapped, or killed.
On October 7, 2023, more than 1,200 men, women, and children, including 46 Americans and citizens of more than 30 countries, were slaughtered by Hamas—the largest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust. Girls and women were brutally sexually assaulted. As Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State, described it: “The depravity of Hamas’s crimes is almost unspeakable.”*
As Daniel recounted his trauma, I was in awe of his calm presence. He spoke with confidence, even bringing in brief moments of humor amid the unimaginable terror.
Daniel, like so many, had his life changed forever that day. He didn’t start healing immediately, noting he was in a dark place for months after October 7th before he was ready to seek help. Many of his friends are still struggling, using alcohol to cope.
At the end of his talk, Daniel left us with one simple, powerful message:
“Be kind.”
In his mission to share both the horrors and hope of his experience, Daniel is involved with the Tribe of NOVA Foundation.
As we reflect on the emotions, memories, and lessons from this past year, may we all heed Daniel’s message.
Let us remember to be kind.
At the bottom of this message I am including a video to help you be kind to yourself.
With love,
Hannah
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