As the attack on the Nova Music Festival unfolded, I found myself surrounded by unimaginable chaos and terror. In one defining moment, I froze at the sight of two young women whose bodies had been riddled with bullets. That was when I understood the true horror of what was happening.
By 8:00 a.m., I was hiding in a small ticket booth with five others, including my sister Eden and my husband Guy. For hours, we remained trapped as gunfire raged around us. By midday, I had lost hope of surviving. While gripping Eden’s hand tightly, Guy lay on top of me, using his body to shield mine. I sat in silence, shaking, convinced our final moments had arrived.
At 2:00 p.m., Israeli soldiers reached us. My first call was to my mother. Through tears and disbelief, I screamed, “I’m alive.”
When I stepped outside, the world I knew was gone. Bodies were everywhere. Blood covered the ground. Nothing looked recognizable.
That day divided my life into two chapters: before and after October 7.
Since then, I have been on a journey of healing, resilience, and purpose. The weight of survival and the grief of loss never fully disappears, but each day I choose to move forward. Through sharing my story, returning to the Nova site, and connecting with audiences around the world, I have discovered that healing is not about leaving the pain behind—it is about finding meaning within it.
Today, I speak about the strength of the human spirit.
My mission is to honor those who cannot tell their stories, inspire meaningful conversations about trauma and recovery, and remind others that even after unimaginable darkness, it is possible to find light again.
— Rita Yedid
Nova Festival Survivor | Speaker | Advocate for Healing and Resilience
Hi, I’m Rita Yedid, a wife, mother, survivor, speaker, and advocate for resilience and hope. On October 7th, my life changed forever when I survived the attack at the Nova Festival alongside my husband and sister. In the face of unimaginable fear and chaos, I discovered a strength I never knew I had—a strength that now fuels my mission to inspire others.Sharing my story hasn’t just helped others—it has helped me heal and grow. Through speaking, I’ve found my voice, transformed my pain into purpose, and connected with people on a deeper level. My journey has shown me that even in our darkest moments, there is light, and even after survival, there is room to thrive.
A 1.5 Hour Immersive Journey of Survival, Loss, and the Will to Live
I take you back to the grounds of the Nova Music Festival—where joy turned to terror. From the moment I arrived, through the hours I lay hidden beneath my husband as bullets rained down on us, to the moment I was rescued by the IDF, you will walk with me through the horror, heartbreak, and unimaginable fear.
This is the story of what it means to survive a massacre. To feel your life slipping away, and to still choose to hold on. I share how I found the strength to surrender to fear, the courage to face unbearable pain, and, against all odds, the path to healing, right at the place where I nearly lost my life.
I visit companies and organizations across Israel to share my personal story of surviving the October 7th Nova Music Festival massacre.
Through a powerful and honest talk—alongside a visual presentation—I guide teams through my experience, helping them process their own trauma, whether directly or indirectly impacted by the events of October 7th and the ongoing war.
These sessions foster empathy, resilience, and meaningful dialogue in the workplace, creating space for healing and human connection.
I travel the world with one mission: to speak the truth of what happened at the Nova Music Festival—turning pain into purpose.
I share my story to raise awareness about trauma, fight antisemitism, and stand proudly in my identity as an Israeli Jewish woman. I speak not only for myself, but for an entire generation processing unthinkable loss and violence.
I connect with Jewish communities, allies, university students, synagogues, and community centers; bringing a message of healing, strength, and unity. Through every talk, I carry the spirit of Nova: joy, music, and connection. I invite fellow festival lovers, of all backgrounds, to listen with open hearts as we build bridges, reclaim our narrative, and move forward—together.
