A Night of Resilience and Faith: Yaniv Ben Haim Shares His Story of October 7 at DSN Beach Club

On the evening of February 5, the DSN Beach Club played host to another unforgettable event—one that transcended mere storytelling and became a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Yaniv Ben Haim, a 24-year-old survivor of the harrowing October 7 attack at the Nova festival, stood before a rapt audience, sharing his harrowing journey of survival, faith, and perseverance.

This event was a product of remarkable collaboration, with DSN joining forces with the SCC, SCA, Chabad of the Shore, and Congregation Brothers of Israel to bring Yaniv from Israel to share his testimony. Moderated by DSN Executive Board Member Steven Kassin, the evening was a profound reflection on the darkest of times and the light that emerges from within.
Yaniv recounted his experience at the NOVA music festival, where he and his friends were caught in an unimaginable nightmare. With gripping detail and the support of a compelling PowerPoint presentation, he spoke of the many close encounters he had with death, the atrocities he witnessed, and the friends he tragically lost. Yet, amid the horror, there was an unexpected savior—an Arab man whom Yaniv now calls his “angel.” This story reaffirmed the complexity of humanity and the power of compassion in the face of hate.
“In the darkest moments, when fear took over, I realized I had two choices—give in to despair or hold onto faith—faith in myself and in G-d,” Yaniv shared, his words resonating deeply with those in attendance. His journey of escape, the lessons he has embraced since that day, and his unwavering belief in miracles served as a beacon of hope and inspiration.
The evening was made even more poignant by the presence of Yaniv’s family and mother in the audience, as she had flown in from Israel to hear her son share his story in this public setting. His cousin translated for him, adding an intimate and deeply emotional dimension to the night. DSN Member Mordi Kameo, whose wife is Yaniv’s cousin, stated that “Listening to Yaniv’s story left tears in the room- but happy and grateful tears. Tears of gratitude that Hashem protected him each step he took that day October 7. Hashem brought him back alive after being at the Nova festival, and now it was beautiful to have him share his story with all of us”.

Adding to the evening’s impact was the heartfelt participation of Chabad’s Rabbi Yaakov Greenberg and Chazan Shalom Jacobs, whose soul-stirring rendition of Mi Sheberach left the audience in solemn reverence. The room was thick with emotion, a collective moment of prayer and unity that underscored the event’s significance. Jacobs said, “It was an honor to spend the evening with another true hero. Standing in front of those who have literally put their lives on the front lines- for our people and our country- not just on October 7, but every day, was an indescribable experience. Singing in everyone’s presence gave each song a deeper, more powerful meaning, filled with gratitude, strength and resilience. Their bravery and sacrifice are beyond words, and it was a privilege to share this moment with them”.
The night was more than an opportunity to hear a survivor’s story; it was a moment of communal strength, remembrance, and reaffirmation of faith. Steven Kassin noted that the “DSN Beach Club continues to be a space where stories are honored, connections are deepened, and resilience is celebrated and I was deeply humbled to have been a part of it”.