The front page of the New York Times reads “Palestinian Militants Stage an Attack on Israel.” The Washington Post declares “Israel ‘At War’ After Hamas Attack.”  What is shockingly absent, what neither headline includes, is language that accurately describes what happened the day before. Nothing calls it what it was.

On October 7, terror came to Israel, with a level of precision, and on a scale she had never experienced before. The terrorists targeted  civilians, women, children, and peace-loving concertgoers. They committed acts of such extreme savage brutality that they defy imagination. For Jews, it was an emotional atomic bomb, the impact of which sent shockwaves that rocked and shook the souls of our people around the world. Including me.

I’ve felt helpless in the face of what has happened since that day. And those who would politicize or justify what happened that day, or even deny that it happened at all, spin the false narratives that have been flying through the ether of social media, screamed on college campuses, and poisoning the reporting of news since the October 8. Israel is constantly demonized, and those who simply believe in her right to exist are now the villains and oppressors of the world. The result is an exponential rise in overt antisemitism, considered by some to be just what we deserve.

But then this came along — the opportunity to do something positive in these turbulent times. Daunting in scope, it has been both an empowering and truly humbling experience.

October 7 is testimony — a collective sharing of traumatic memory. It isn’t political. It isn’t commentary.  Our only job was to find the balance between the devastation of what these people experienced, and the incredible force of hope and resilience that they embody, and to share that with the audience through the truth of their words. We committed ourselves as a company to ensure that the authentic voices of these remarkable people are heard so that others might be touched by their humanity and extraordinary resilience. And I have no doubt that you will be.

This astonishing play takes you into the heart of the October 7th attacks against Israelis of all ages, ethnicities, and circumstances.

Stories of horror and heroics are presented verbatim, using only the words of those who experienced the attacks and dealt with the aftermath.

Despite pain and loss, these are also stories of hope, resilience, and even humor.

Don’t miss this historic opportunity to bear witness to the tragedy and heroism of those who endured October 7th.  In their own words.

Never again is now.

When: Now thru June 16, 2024

Where: Actors Temple Theatre
339 W. 47th St, NY 10036

TJV Readers can get discounted tickets now, by clicking here: TICKET OFFER