Metro Voice News Celebrating Faith, Family & Community
Rom El-Hai cheated death on October 7, 2023, the day Israel was suddenly and deliberately attacked by the terrorist group Hamas. The 28-year-old found himself in the midst of a horrific assault by the group on the Nova Festival, an outdoor music event in Israel. The invasion and slaughter of Israelis and individuals from around the world, including the United States, resulted in the highest one-day murder of Jews since the Holocaust.
Rom El-Hai
He was attending the festival with two friends when their day of music and celebration turned into a desperate fight for survival. “I couldn’t believe how heaven could turn into hell so quickly,” El-Hai recalled of the terrifying moment the attack began. El-Hai described the attack and resulting run for his life: “I couldn’t believe how heaven could turn into hell so quickly.” He and his two friends escaped, making life-or-death decisions in the chaotic hours that followed.
On Tuesday, December 3, El-Hai will share his raw and personal account of that day at Or HaOlam Messianic Synagogue in Overland Park, Kansas. The public is invited to this free event, where El-Hai will recount the chaos of the attack, his struggle with the trauma that followed, and his ongoing path to healing. The event will feature exclusive photos and video from that fateful day, and attendees will have the opportunity to ask him questions after his talk.
Or HaOlam invited Rom to speak because of the congregation’s deep links with Israel. “We stand in solidarity with Israel, a sovereign country repeatedly attacked by the terrorist group Hamas,” explains Shmuel Wolkenfeld, rabbi and leader of Or HaOlam. “While thousands of voices are calling for death to Israel, Or HaOlam states ‘Am Israel Chai’ which means ‘The people of Israel live.’ We stand to speak life, support, love and prayers to Israel and Jews worldwide. Hosting Rom El-Hai reflects this stance.”
The event begins at 7 pm with live music. A love offering will be gratefully accepted. Or HaOlam Messianic Synagogue, a congregation of Jews and Gentiles celebrating God’s faithfulness to Israel and all nations, has invited El-Hai to speak in a show of solidarity with Israel. “We stand with Israel, a sovereign nation repeatedly attacked by Hamas,” said Rabbi Shmuel Wolkenfeld. “By hosting Rom El-Hai, we’re speaking life, support, love, and prayers to Israel and Jews everywhere.”
Learn more about Or HaOlam and their mission.
–Dwight Widaman | Metro Voice
