Shye Weinstein, a 26-year-old survivor of the Oct. 7 Hamas massacre at the Supernova Sukkot Gathering music festival in Israel, recounted his harrowing escape from the unprecedented attacks during a talk at an American synagogue.
Weinstein, a Toronto native who moved to Israel in April, had never attended a music festival before the Supernova Sukkot Gathering music festival in the Israeli kibbutz known as Re’im.
The festival turned into a scene of horror when Hamas launched a massive offensive across southern Israel, resulting in over 200 casualties and triggering nearly two months of intense conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Weinstein, who was not an avid fan of electronic dance music, described the festival’s vibrant atmosphere before chaos ensued.
As rockets from Hamas and Israel’s Iron Dome illuminated the sky around 6 a.m., Weinstein sensed something was wrong. Machine gun fire in the distance heightened his anxiety, prompting him and his friends to join others in a frantic attempt to leave the festival grounds.
The exit was chaotic, leading Weinstein and his friends to drive off-road in a small sedan to escape the complex, encountering a landscape littered with empty cars and casualties.
During his escape, Weinstein documented the unfolding terror through photos and videos, later sharing them on social media.
He embarked on an international speaking tour to colleges in New England and Canada, emphasizing the importance of spreading awareness about the atrocities he witnessed.
Weinstein urged resilience in the face of tragedy, emphasizing that ceasing normal life allows the perpetrators to win. He shared photos and videos taken before the attack, including portraits of fellow festivalgoers, some of whom he later discovered had perished.
Yoshua Goodman expressed gratitude for Weinstein’s detailed account, highlighting the impact of seeing such events documented firsthand.
Others in attendance at Temple Beth Shalom echoed similar sentiments, acknowledging the difficulty in comprehending such acts of violence.
Weinstein concluded his talk by emphasizing the ongoing recovery efforts in Israel, with communities rallying to support each other. He encouraged non-governmental financial assistance, particularly for mental health resources, as Israelis cope with the aftermath of the attacks.