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This reflection was authored by Ron Segev, a survivor of the October 7th Nova music festival massacre, following his participation in an interfaith Hanukkah candle-lighting ceremony organized by the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) in Tel Aviv last week.
This past Wednesday, I had the privilege to light a Hanukkah candle in Tel Aviv with some great allies — a visiting delegation of Muslim American leaders who have had enough of radical Islamists spreading lies and hate against Jews!
The Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) asked me, as a survivor of the Nova music festival massacre, to share a few words at the event.
I was invited last minute, and when I arrived at the beautiful Riverside venue next to the Tel Aviv Port, I didn’t exactly know what to expect. As the I entered, I was pleased to see the hall was already full of smiling people.
It took me just a few seconds to realize I was not at a typical candle-lighting gathering. Here, a mix of Jews and Muslims were conversing warmly with each other, in a jovial atmosphere of solidarity and understanding.
After witnessing so much hate over the past two years, suddenly I was seeing the other side of the coin — the beauty of people standing up for others, regardless of their religion. The fact it was happening just four days after the Bondi Beach massacre in Australia only made it more meaningful and powerful.
We enjoyed good food and drinks together, and then Sacha Roytman, the CEO of CAM, took the microphone and started introducing speakers. Among them were American Muslim and Multifaith Women’s Empowerment Council (AMMWEC) Founder and President Anila Ali, UAE-based linguist and peace activist Loay Alshareef, Jewish American entertainer Montana Tucker.
There were also many American and Israeli influencers in the crowd who deserve medals for the incredible work they’ve been doing online for the Jewish people since October 7th.
For my part, I tried to keep my remarks positive and happy, not an easy task if know what I endured on October 7th. I focused on a moment that brought a lot of light into my life — the moment my friends Adir and Sara shared with me they were pregnant just a couple of days after we survived the Nova music festival massacre.
After I finished speaking, I lit a candle with the rabbi, and then then we all started dancing together, Jews and Muslims as one. Words cannot express the respect I have for these people.
I want to give a huge thanks to my friends at Safe Heart who are there for us, the survivors of October 7th, each and every day! I also want to voice my deepest appreciation to the Combat Antisemitism Movement for fighting antisemitism all around the world and supporting organizations like Safe Heart here in Israel!
It was a great honor for me to celebrate Hanukkah with such wonderful Jewish and Muslim friends.
I left the event feeling inspired, with a reaffirmed belief that if good people around the world of all faiths speak up loudly for the truth and denounce the “Globalize the Intifada” hatemongers and inciters of violence, we will see better days.
It is time for all the “quiet supporters” of the Jewish people to learn from the Muslim leaders I met last week and stop living in fear. Don’t be quiet! Everyone must stand tall against evil in all forms against all people!
About the author:
Ron Segev is a 40-year-old Israeli who lives in Tel Aviv. Prior to October 7th, he worked in sales for eight years. Earlier in his life, he was a professional bridge player and an Under-21 World Bridge Champion, a title he won in 2006 while serving in the Israel Defense Forces during the Second Lebanon War.
In the aftermath of October 7th, Segev has dedicated himself to supporting fellow survivors and telling his story to Jewish communities worldwide. Through speaking engagements, he raises funds for organizations that support Nova survivors and encourages audiences to stand up to rising antisemitism.
