CHICAGO (WGN) — Ariel Ohana, along with three of her relatives, miraculously survived the horror and chaos of the Hamas terrorist attack at the Nova Music Festival in Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
Two years later, she is sharing her story, turning pain into strength as part of her healing journey.
“I was there with my family, so for me, it was a survival mission,” Ohana said. “My feelings are still hurting, but my soul is strong.”
Ohana is in Chicago for the Nova Music Festival traveling exhibit, titled “Oct, 7, 6:29 a.m., The Moment Music Stood Still,” a powerful recreation of the festival grounds on the day of the attack.
Among the more than 3,000 attendees who came to celebrate life and music, hundreds were killed or injured, and dozens were taken hostage.
“I was actually in the toilet just before everything started. So I always think about it was just a matter of minutes, I could have been stuck there,” Ohana said.
The exhibit features haunting remnants of that day: bullet-riddled bathroom stalls, burned-out cars, and belongings left behind, including clothes, bags and tents. Each item serves as a silent testament to the terror, loss and resilience of those who lived through it.
“It also brings the relatability aspect that it could happen here. God forbid it does, but just personalizing it and showing how this happened,” said Lonnie Nasatir with the Jewish United Fund.
“I think it’s important for people to open up their eyes and have different experiences and educate themselves,” Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias said.
As visitors move through the three-part installation, organizers emphasize that while the tragedy took place in the Middle East, it speaks to a universal story of loss and unbreakable courage, and a reminder that the victims and their stories must not be forgotten.
“It’s on us in this room to make sure this is not a Jewish story alone, but a story where hate is confronted and not allowed to win,” former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emmanuel said.
The exhibit will be on display until the end of November at 1800 N Clybourn Avenue. For more information, click here.
Ashlyn Wright
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