From the Nova party to Mea She'arim: Barak Nixon reflects on the terror attack and his return to faith

Barak Nixon, a man whose life was forever changed by the events of Simchat Torah, recently shared his harrowing experience in a powerful interview. Having celebrated his first Shabbat, Nixon attended the infamous Nova party on the morning of Simchat Torah. But what began as a festive occasion turned into an unimaginable nightmare when, at 06:28 AM, sirens sounded, signaling the beginning of a terror attack. Within minutes, hundreds of Hamas militants stormed the party venue, murdering 393 participants and kidnapping dozens more.

During those eight and a half hours of horror, Nixon faced death repeatedly. He narrowly escaped being killed by hiding in a bathroom stall, where he prayed fervently, calling out to God to save him. The terrorists went from room to room, shooting anyone they could find. As Nixon hid, he recited chapters from Psalms, crying out in fear but also in prayer. In those dark moments, he made a vow: if he were to survive, he would dedicate his life to repentance and return to faith.

In an emotional and deeply faith-filled interview, Nixon recounted the terror that unfolded that morning. He described how, as the attack raged on, he managed to save his friend and remained hidden in the bathroom while witnessing the deaths of those around him. His survival seemed miraculous, and it was not only physical survival that he gained but a profound spiritual awakening. Nixon reflected on the faith he clung to in his darkest hour, and how this experience led him to embrace a path of spiritual redemption.

What followed was a remarkable transformation. Nixon went from attending the Nova party to becoming a Hasidic Jew, eventually settling in the Mea She'arim neighborhood, a stronghold of religious observance in Jerusalem. His family initially struggled to understand his new path, but with time, they came to accept and support his journey.

In his interview, Nixon spoke of the ongoing trauma from that fateful day but also the deep sense of gratitude he feels for the chance to rebuild his life. His journey from the Nova party to a life of devout faith exemplifies the power of spiritual resilience and redemption in the face of unimaginable tragedy.