Oct. 7 survivor Eden Gafner shares her story at Friedberg JCC

The Oceanside community gathered at the Friedberg JCC on May 15 to hear Eden Gafner, a survivor of the Oct. 7 attacks in Israel, share her harrowing experience. The event, organized by Chabad of Oceanside and the JCC, brought together residents to listen, learn, and support those affected by the violence overseas. The event, facilitated by the organization Faces of October Seventh, aimed to raise awareness about the horrific events that befell the Nova festival and surrounding kibbutzim.

Kibbutzim are small, communal towns in Israel where people live and work together voluntarily and noncompetitively. The word “kibbutz” means “gathering” in Hebrew. Faces of October Seventh had been in touch with several Chabads on Long Island to bring awareness and to bring Gafner out to speak when she was here in the States for her speaking tour.

“We’re constantly involved in many different projects and programs trying to stay you know, keep everyone’s spirits up and then help our brethren in Israel and so when I’m mature like this comes up when we jump at it,” said Rabbi Zevi Baumgarten, associate Rabbi and key organizer from Chabad of Oceanside.

Gafner’s detailed recount of Oct. 7 was a mix of sorrow, fear, and miraculous survival. Visiting her parents’ home with her boyfriend, what began as a normal day quickly turned into a nightmare. News of nearby raids prompted them to lock themselves in a safe room.

“I’m 28 years old and I learned such a big lesson,” Gafner said to the crowd at the JCC. “When I was in the attic, I looked into my mother’s eyes and I truly believed I was going to be murdered. I felt so hopeless. I couldn’t stop thinking of how much time in our lives is spent on nonsense. When you are confronted with death you understand how much time you waste in life on the unimportant.”

Gafner and her family held the door shut as attackers tried to break in, but miraculously, after a few intense moments, the assailants left without further attempts to enter. Gafner and her family emerged 30 hours later to find their home destroyed by fire. Gafner and her family were rescued by the Israel Defence Forces and taken out of the kibbutz. She said her family is now safe in Tel Aviv. Gafner shared not only her ordeal but also the stories of friends and community members who were not as fortunate.

“I would say that the atmosphere was a bit bittersweet,” Baumgarten recounted. “There was lots of sorrow and very low points. She went through a detailed step-by-step of her experience that particular day with videos and pictures, her father and her boyfriend held back the doors shut and by some miracle, they left and didn’t come back but others weren’t so lucky.

Despite the grim details, Gafner’s mesage was one of hope and resilience. She emphasized the vibrant lives of those lost, urging the audience to remember them not just as victims but as individuals who lived full, beautiful lives.

“What really took me was that she put a big focus on not just remembering the kibbutz and not just those who were lost but rather, the vibrant life that they lived and the beauty of the Kibbutz itself,” Baumgarten said. “It was really a message of hope, a message of remembering those who lost in the way they were. Not just as victims but rather as vibrant, kind of loving people.”

The atmosphere in the room was somber yet inspired. Attendees were moved by Gafner’s strength and the balance she struck between mourning and moving forward.

“It wasn’t a sense of vengeance and hate,” said Baumgarten. “It was rather a focus on what we can do. How can we continue the legacy of those who were lost and, of course, going forward as a people, connect with each other and put away our differences, whether it be religious, political, or any other kind of ideological difference, and come together.”

Since October 7, Chabad of Oceanside has been deeply involved in supporting both the local and Israeli communities. Their initiatives include organizing community meals, Torah classes, and solidarity trips to Israel with Chabad of Oceanside director Rabbi Levi Gurkov. These trips involved delivering donations, care packages for soldiers, and visits to hospitals and refugee shelters. The Chabad will continue to organize community events to help the Jewish community.

“It was very warm, and inspiring,” Baumgarten said of Gafner’s talk . “It was a beautiful turnout from the community and we’re here to support our brothers and sisters and we pray for better times.”