October 7 Through Our Students’ Eyes: Bearing Witness in Israel

Each year, Hausner’s 8th graders travel to Israel for a culminating journey of learning, connection, and solidarity. Since the October 7 attacks, this experience has taken on even deeper meaning. Our students stood at sites forever changed, listened to stories of courage and loss, and met with families, survivors, and peers their own age.

These encounters deepened their understanding of Israel’s reality and strengthened their sense of Jewish identity and responsibility. They bore witness, mourned, and returned home carrying stories that remind us all that memory and action go hand in hand.

Selections from their reflections and photographs were recently featured at the OFJCC’s October 7 Commemoration Community Event, honoring the victims and reaffirming our shared commitment to remembrance and resilience.

“I have hope for the future as I witness the strong connection our students are forming with the people, land, and culture of Israel. May we continue to foster deep and meaningful ties to Israel and Judaism in all of our students.”
— Rabbi Daniel Lehmann, Head of School
 

Bearing Witness: Student Reflections

Below are voices from our students — their words, their images, their impressions of resilience, grief, and hope.

Scenes of Courage and Resilience

In Ofakim, students walked streets where residents fought to protect their neighbors on October 7.

“When we walked through the streets of Ofakim, we learned how people fought the terrorists with barely any weapons in order to protect and save other members of their community. Although the city has rebuilt, we could still see the bullet holes in the walls and the posters of those who were killed. It was chilling to realize that these were the very places where people we were meeting lost friends and family.”

“The ladder and paint bucket stood out to me as symbols of Tikkun Olam – repairing the world. Even in the face of destruction, there is determination to rebuild and restore.”

"The mural in this picture represents how civilians stepped up to defend their city when there was little law enforcement able to respond. The people we spoke with emphasized how the entire community came together in the face of terror. It was a horrible day, but they remain proud of their response. That resilience was deeply inspiring.”
 

At the Nova Music Festival Memorial

“At the Nova music festival memorial, we saw how each family and group of friends created their own tribute. Pictures of the victims were surrounded by ceramic Kalaniot and handwritten notes. It reminded us that each victim was not just a statistic, but a person who lived, laughed, and loved. Standing there, only a few kilometers from Gaza, felt surreal and unforgettable. It showed us how October 7 is not just history, but still a living wound.”

Reflections on the Hostage Crisis

“We arrived at Hostage Square and were immediately struck by the screen counting the time since the hostages were taken. Every second we stood there was another second they remained in captivity. We walked through a model Hamas tunnel, saw yellow ribbons and a Passover table set for each hostage, and witnessed the powerful art and memorials created by families. It was impossible not to feel the weight of their absence.”

Later in the trip, students met Rachel Goldberg-Polin, whose son Hersh was taken hostage from the Nova festival.

“She told us about his love of travel and geography, and her determination to do everything possible to bring him and the other hostages home. Her words and courage will stay with us forever.”

Hersh Goldberg-Polin was later murdered in Gaza, and his body was returned to Israel in August 2024.
May his memory be a blessing.

Carrying the Stories Forward

As our students reflected on what they saw and learned, one message stood out: resilience and hope endure even in the face of loss. Through their words, images, and actions, they remind us that education is not only about learning history — it’s about bearing witness, fostering empathy, and building a better future.

May the memory of the victims be a blessing.
May the hostages be brought home swiftly.
May we continue to carry these stories forward.