Why Survivors Must Keep Telling Their Stories

One Tuesday night, nearly a year and a half after the October 7th attacks, a classroom at Florida State University fell silent as students sat in awe, listening to Gal Cohen-Solal share a story that no one should ever have to tell.

He is a survivor of the October 7th terror attack by Hamas at Kibbutz Re’im, one of the hardest-hit communities during the massacre at the Nova Music Festival. Most people in the room expected him to simply recount the events of that day. Instead, they were met with a deeply personal story—one of survival, profound loss, and an urgent plea to ensure the memory never fades, so this can never happen again.

Gal began by showing us a photo of his house. The door showed the brutal evidence of a recent bullet hole.  After the attack, the IDF left a notice beside it indicating that the home was now safe. It was a haunting reminder of that infamous assault.

A video was then shown depicting terrorists storming the kibbutz and executing an innocent Israeli as he drove his truck. His body was discarded, and his vehicle was seized to further their attack. Infamous footage followed—terrorists roaming the streets, hunting for residents, and mercilessly killing everyone they found.

In contrast, Cohen-Solal showed aerial footage of his kibbutz before the attack—a once-thriving community now in ruins. Gal described to us the absolute terror that he, his wife and three young children experienced trapped inside their safe room. At one point, he held his youngest son’s mouth shut, nearly suffocating him, to keep him silent—knowing that if the terrorists heard them, they could all be killed or taken hostage.

Despite the sheer chaos outside, Gal was no stranger to high-intensity situations. As a former IDF special forces soldier, he had been trained  for situations just like this or had he? Although he had faced life-threatening moments before in combat, this time was eerily different since it involved his entire family. 

Inside their safe room, gunfire could be heard from all around. His military training and experience “told him”, that the IDF was in fact engaging this “faceless” and cowardly enemy. 

During the attack, a large hole was made into the wall so he feared that a hand grenade could be thrown, killing or maiming them all. He therefore made a decision in his mind if that were to happen—he was prepared to throw himself on it to shield his family from harm.

For over a day, Gal and his family waited, not knowing if they would make it out alive. Finally, there was a sense of calm after the IDF finally arrived giving them the all clear signal—a moment that he and his family experienced with both relief and sorrow for what other Israelis must have endured.

Many of his neighbors were not as lucky. He spoke about his close friend, an IDF soldier who rushed back to the kibbutz to protect its residents but was shot and killed. His bullet-riddled body was later found behind a tree. Gal also shared the story of his nephew, a rising star on Israel’s version of American Idol, who later was killed in the massacre. As his nephew’s song played, the room fell into a heavy silence—a powerful, painful tribute to a life tragically taken far too soon.

At the end of this talk, the students sat deeply moved with many staying to ask questions and express their condolences. The impact of this night was undeniable, but the real question is: What happens now?

The Survivor’s Guilt: The Burden of Remembering

For Gal, speaking about that day is painful, but he does so for those who no longer can. If he stays silent, their stories disappear. This is called survivor’s guilt. This occurs when individuals feel guilty after they survive a near death or traumatic event when others perished. It can cause similar depressive symptoms associated with PTSD.

Holocaust survivors felt this same weight. After WWII, many could not speak about what happened, but as Holocaust denial and distortion grew, they realized they had to share their experiences, or their stories would be lost forever.

Gal now carries this same burden, knowing that the story of October 7th could one day be twisted, downplayed, or forgotten altogether. No summary can fully capture the weight of his experience, the emotion in his voice, or the power of hearing it firsthand. Like many other survivors, Gal prefers to tell his own story. Presenting this account is meant only to honor his testimony, but nothing can replace the true impact of hearing a survivor speak directly.

The Importance of Remembering: The Fading of Memory Over Time

The Holocaust, 9/11, and October 7th—these are events that should never be forgotten. As time passes however, memories fade. The remaining Holocaust survivors are quite elderly now and soon there will be no one left to tell their stories firsthand. Studies have shown that young people today have an alarmingly low level of Holocaust knowledge. If that can happen to the Holocaust, what will happen to the stories of October 7th?

His biggest fear is that the world will move on and that people will forget all of the innocent people that were murdered. We’ve heard this song before, how history is rewritten when people stop listening. We cannot let that happen again.

Learning from History: The Role of Survivor Testimonies

If history teaches us anything, survivor testimonies are the strongest reminder to keep such stories alive. They speak for those who no longer have a voice, to keep their memories alive  and to combat the deniers. It is now our responsibility to listen.

The Call to Action: The Responsibility of the Next Generation

Returning to the question posed earlier, what happens now? As students, as young people, as the next generation, what can we do? 

• Amplify survivor voices: Attend and promote events like Gal’s talk.
• Challenge misinformation: When you see distortions about October 7th, speak up!
• Keep these stories alive: Share survivor testimonies, online and in real life.
• Learn and educate others: Holocaust education efforts have kept that history alive—we must do the same for October 7th.

“Never Again” means nothing if we do not act.

The Lasting Impact of October 7th

This eventful talk placed an important responsibility on all of the students. We must remember, share, and ensure these stories are never forgotten. Their memory now rests in our hands.

At FSU, we saw that young people will listen when given the chance, but how many will never get to hear stories like this? If there is no awareness, many will never know what really happened. The fight against historical amnesia and distortion is happening now, and the frontlines lie right in the heart of our college campuses.

Gal’s visit was made possible by CAMERA on Campus in coordination with Faces of October 7th, organizations dedicated to amplifying survivor testimonies and preserving their memory. Their efforts deserve recognition and support, as they provide the platform for stories like this to reach the masses.

Conclusion: The Responsibility of Memory and the Next Generation

Gal Cohen-Solal ‘s testimony at Florida State was both a warning and a challenge. If we do not actively remember and share these stories, history will be forgotten and rewritten.

Holocaust survivors passed their stories to us—now, October 7th survivors are doing the same. It is our choice whether we will carry that responsibility forward.

Because one day, there will be no more survivors left to tell these stories. When that day comes—who will speak for them?