B’nai B’rith International hosted a webinar today, “Remembering October 7, 2023: A Day of Terror. A Testament to Strength,” featuring attack survivor Nikita Somorov. Hosted by B’nai B’rith CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin, the commemoration marks one year since Hamas carried out the deadliest attack on Jews since the Holocaust.

The surprise Hamas attack, marked by acts of horrific brutality, included the massacre of over 1,200 Israelis, sexual violence and torture, babies burned alive, and 240 civilians taken hostage. Today, more than 100 individuals remain in captivity as the ongoing Israel-Hamas war continues to bring devastation to both Israelis and Palestinians.

During the commemoration, Somorov shared his harrowing story of enduring the Hamas attack on Kibbutz Nahal Oz, sharing how he and his family hid in a safe room for nine hours as neighbors were murdered in their homes around him. Somorov described the initial Hamas rocket launch, which he initially believed was an isolated incident.

“I realized if the situation is so bad and no army is heard or seen close by, it’s just a matter of time that they’re going to come in our house, so we thought what can we do in order to save our child?,” Somorov said.

As Somorov and his wife began to grasp the scale of assault unfolding across the country, he grew increasingly fearful for their five-year-old son’s safety if terrorists discovered their hiding place. They concealed him inside a bed, instructing him to stay silent and sent a message to their in-laws, telling them where to find their son if they were killed.

Somorov recounted the moment IDF soldiers finally arrived to rescue his family and the relief he felt upon discovering that his loved ones—his parents and brothers—had made it out alive as well: “Suddenly I hear right outside the window of my safe room three knocks…‘IDF. IDF. IDF.’ Then I realize that it was our soldiers that came to rescue us. And without hesitating for a second, I open up the metal blinds and I see eight beautiful soldiers in front of me. Their faces were just like angel faces. After so much time hearing only gunshots and hoping for help, you finally see your army that came to save you.”

In opening remarks, Mariaschin reflected on the violence and suffering that took place on Oct. 7 and the grave impact the ongoing war has had on Israel and the Jewish people.

“The global Jewish community has watched as the world and has seemingly abandoned Jews and Israel,” Mariaschin said. “From anti-Israel street protesters tearing down posters of hostages, to university students and professors shouting, ‘From the River to the Sea, Palestine will be Free,’ to world leaders in the highest levels of government blaming Israel for the Hamas attack and even, some even saying it was justified. The anti-Israel and anti-Semitic momentum has only grown over the last year.”

In partnership with the Global Moment of Silence, B’nai B’rith participated with more than 275 Jewish organizations from all over the world in a moment of silence to honor or those whose lives were lost. The commemoration concluded with the recitation of the Mourner’s Kaddish in memory of those who have died on and since Oct. 7.

The full webinar “Remembering October 7, 2023: A Day of Terror. A Testament to Strength” can be viewed here.