By Sandy Scheller
RANCHO SANTA FE, California — Chabad Rabbi Levi Raskin hosted Shohan Cohen, who survived the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas massacre at the Nova Festival. Speaking Wednesday night to a packed audience, the bright 21-year-old recounted the traumatic experience of witnessing death around him as cars and people were blown up. He survived by hiding under the concert stage with a plastic sheet he found.
Throughout the ordeal, he managed to text and take photos and videos until his phone battery died. He detailed minute by minute what he experienced from hiding in a forest, having civilian Gaza teens threatening him, unable to get to his car, being chased by Hamas from behind, watching bullets fly in front of him. He questions to this day why he was not hit. He explained that being a “Cohen” he has a oneness directly with G—d and this is another reason he is here.
Shohan is traveling throughout the United States speaking about his ordeal. Speaking to others has given him a sense of peace as he tells of what happened and the aftermath of not being able to sleep and doing his favorite thing in life which is dancing.
On a personal note: May we all find something to be thankful for. I am most thankful to Shohan for sharing his story. Shohan is a hero.
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Sandy Scheller is the curator of RUTH: Remember Us the Holocaust, a traveling exhibit that will begin a year-long stay at the La Jolla Library in January.