Shoham Cohen, a survivor of the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas-led attacks on the Nova Music Festival in Israel, spoke to approximately 75 Colgate University students during Shabbat services at Hamilton’s local Chabad House on Friday, Oct. 17. Cohen, who is 22 years old, was attending the music festival when Hamas militants attacked. He spent several hours evading gunfire and rocket-propelled grenade attacks before being rescued by the Israeli Defense Forces.

The event was open to all Colgate students, regardless of religious background. It was organized by students and sponsored by parents, alumni and Colgate trustees, including Clarissa Shah ’10 and Noah Wintroub ’98, who attended the gathering. The visit originated from discussions in Chabad’s Sinai Scholars group from spring 2025, a weekly cohort of about 30 students who meet to explore modern-day Jewish identity, Chabad Rabbi Shmuly Haskelevich shared.

“Students wanted to better understand what happened on Oct. 7 and what it means for them as Jewish students today,” Haskelevich said.

During his talk, Cohen described how he and his friends initially attempted to flee along a main road before seeking cover beneath a stage. As gunfire approached, they ran through forests and fields for the remainder of the day. 

Junior Noah Dry, president of Chabad in Hamilton, shared his deep admiration for Cohen’s composure. 

“Shoham is an incredibly impressive individual. He moved so seamlessly between moments of emotional, sensitive storytelling and the kind of lighthearted conversation you’d expect from college-age students sharing dinner over glasses of wine,” Dry said. “Speaking with him felt like talking to an old soul, … one of calm and composure who spoke with confidence, as if he had already lived a lifetime of experience.”

Cohen eventually joined up with other Israeli civilians who had taken weapons from Hamas militants, and they held their position until IDF forces arrived.

“[Cohen’s] message is one of hope, resilience and faith. He kept returning to the simple phrase ‘keep on smiling,’ a reflection of his determination to choose life and light despite the darkness he witnessed,” Haskelevich said. “The students were visibly moved, not only from sadness, but from pride and purpose.”

Dry reflected on the significance of hosting Cohen.

“Hearing directly from someone who endured an event of such global significance, and a tragedy of mass scale at that, was a profoundly impactful experience,” Dry said. “In an age where so much of our information is sourced from the internet, the opportunity to engage face-to-face with a survivor brought with it a rare and powerful authenticity.”

Dry also remarked on the event’s broader impact for the Colgate Jewish community. 

“Chabad serves as a ‘home away from home.’ [Cohen’s] visit embodied that spirit well. His presence offered Jewish students and community members alike a safe space to gather, reflect and find strength together in the wake of the Oct. 7 attacks,” Dry said. “For many students, Oct. 7 marked a turning point in their Jewish identity, reaffirming their sense of self within the faith and pride for their heritage.”

For example, senior Sarah Salzman attended the event after becoming more involved with Chabad this semester. 

“The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is so highly contested, and I thought that it would be an interesting and beneficial experience to hear a firsthand perspective,” Salzman said.

Salzman noted the difference between reading about events online and hearing them in person. 

“Hearing about a 20-year-old having to run for his life and dodge bullets shot by terrorists is not the easiest thing to hear,” Salzman said, noting Cohen was 20 at the time of the attack. 

Salzman added that students would equally benefit from hearing firsthand perspectives of Palestinians living through the Gaza war.

“I think that Colgate students live in such a bubble of privilege and naïveté, and so by having someone who has lived through experiences of war come and share their stories firsthand — it’s eye-opening and a beneficial experience,” Salzman said. 

Haskelevich reported increased interest in Jewish activities since the Hamas-led attacks on Oct. 7, 2023, and the ensuing Israel-Hamas war. 

“Students have begun taking on mitzvahs — good deeds — putting up mezuzahs in their dorm rooms, wrapping tefillin, lighting Shabbat candles and finding renewed strength and meaning in being Jewish,” Haskelevich said.

The Chabad House, while not formally affiliated with Colgate University, serves as a community space for Jewish students and others interested in Judaism. Regular Shabbat services and events are open to students, faculty and community members who RSVP in advance. Dry emphasized the inclusive nature of Chabad events. 

“Like all Chabad gatherings, this event was open to everyone — be it students, faculty, community members, friends and family alike. Chabad has welcomed not only Jewish students but also those from other backgrounds who are simply curious to experience what a Shabbat or Jewish holiday feels like,” Dry said. “The goal is always to foster connection and understanding while strengthening the sense of safety and belonging within the Jewish community. The more positive experiences shared between people, the better.”