PORTLAND, Oregon — An Israeli woman who survived the Oct. 7, 2023 terror attack in Israel addressed a Portland congregation on Wednesday.
Ofri Etta Reiner, 22, was at the Super Nova Music Festival when Hamas attacked. She survived, but 1,200 people were murdered and 250 more were taken hostage. That same day, Reiner's brother was killed in combat.
"My suffering has something to offer to the others." Reiner said before speaking at Congregation Neveh Shalom in Southwest Portland. “Since October 7, I feel like I am on my journey to infuse my life with meaning.”
Reiner said she’s been finding part of that meaning away from her home in Israel. Her stop in Portland is part of a national tour speaking to groups about her survival and what it means to rise out of suffering.
“I feel like my lecture is relevant for anyone who is coping with anything in life because trauma,” Reiner said. “I'm not the first one, I'm not the last one that will deal with trauma and to understand the meaning of post-traumatic growth. The fact that we can flourish out of anything is something that all of us should be familiar of.”
Rabbi David Kosak with Congregation Neveh Shalom was grateful for Reiner’s visit. He was injured in a terror attack while he was a student at Hebrew University. He hopes those who hear Reiner's story will find a way to grow from it.
“Use it as sort of a source of healing, resilience, hope, optimism,” Kosak said. “When trauma comes our way, we can allow ourselves to be swallowed up by it or we can actually use it as a growing opportunity… We all have agency. We all have the ability to just live as fully as possible if we choose it and (Reiner’s) done just that.”
Since the Israel-Hamas war began, the Health Ministry in Gaza, which is controlled by Hamas, said more than 40,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces. The initial attack by Hamas killed 1,200 hundred people in Israel with 100 more still considered hostages.
At Congregation Neveh Shalom, two empty chairs draped in prayer shawls represent hostages still held by Hamas. Reiner said she prays for their safe return and for peace each time she shares her story.
“It's hard and draining, but fulfilling at the same time,” Reiner said.