September 12th 2024.
The Nova Music Festival was supposed to be a monumental moment for Moran Stella Yanai, as she embarked on a journey to create and sell jewelry in Israel. It was meant to be her big start, a chance to showcase her talents and make a name for herself. However, this dream quickly turned into a nightmare when Yanai was caught in the midst of an attack by Hamas terrorists on October 7th. Instead of being celebrated for her jewelry, she found herself being held hostage for 54 days.
Hamas, a designated terrorist organization by the United States, Canada, and the European Union, has been carrying out attacks in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. Yanai, who is now 41 years old, is one of the few hostages who have spoken publicly about her traumatic experience. She recently shared her story with nearly 200 people at the BMH-BJ Congregation in Denver's Washington Virginia Vale neighborhood.
According to organizers from Chabad of South Denver, Yanai is the first hostage to speak in Colorado. She bravely recounted her experience, shedding light on the horrors she endured during her captivity. Yanai was one of 250 people who were abducted by Hamas-led forces in the attack, which resulted in the death of approximately 1,200 people. The Associated Press estimates that about 100 people are still being held hostage, with a third of them believed to be dead.
As the ongoing war has claimed the lives of over 41,000 Palestinians, Yanai's story serves as a reminder of the devastating impact it has had on innocent lives. She shared how she was among the festival-goers who were admiring the sunrise before chaos erupted as rockets began firing over the event. Amidst the panic and confusion, Yanai struggled to figure out the best course of action.
"It was complete chaos," she recalled. "Half of the people were running and screaming, some were walking, some were dancing, some were laughing and I didn't know the right one to choose." As the rockets continued to rain down, Yanai made a run for it. However, she ended up falling out of a tree and breaking her leg. This ultimately led to her capture by Hamas.
Over the course of 54 days, Yanai was moved between seven different houses and endured constant bombardment, which caused her to lose half of her hearing. She described being beaten, punished for showing emotion, and deprived of food. She was not even allowed to leave her mattress or speak. Despite the unimaginable pain and suffering, Yanai found the strength to survive by focusing on the present moment and holding onto hope and faith.
"I didn't feel the pain of the beating, I didn't feel the fractures because I had to concentrate on one thing and one thing only - to survive," she shared. Her experience taught her that even in the depths of hell, there is still goodness to be found. She also discovered her own strength and the resilience of women.
Now, Yanai is dedicated to doing everything in her power to bring home the remaining hostages and urged others to do the same. She emphasized the responsibility that we all have to ensure the safety and well-being of our fellow human beings. "If this Nova story does not end differently, then nobody is safe," she warned. "You need to choose what world you want your children to inherit."
Her powerful words were echoed by Rabbi Avraham Mintz of the Chabad Jewish Center of South Metro Denver, who spoke before Yanai took the stage. He urged everyone to continue their efforts in bringing peace and justice to the ongoing conflict. "We have to continue doing everything we can to bring every one of our brothers and sisters home and bring an end to the pain and suffering," he stated.
As Yanai's words resonated with the audience, it was evident that her story had touched everyone in the room. She serves as a reminder of the harsh reality that many innocent people are facing in war-torn regions and the importance of never giving up on our efforts to make a positive change. Her bravery and resilience will continue to inspire and her story will not be forgotten.
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