SAN ANTONIO — Two years after surviving one of the darkest days in Israel’s history, Moran Stella Yanai is turning her pain into purpose.

The Israeli survivor, who was held hostage by Hamas for 54 days, spoke in a room of 240 women at the Chabad Center for Jewish Life and Learning in San Antonio, sharing her story of resilience and emphasizing a message of peace.

On Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas militants launched a surprise assault on southern Israel from the Gaza Strip, killing about 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages, according to Israeli officials. The coordinated attack targeted civilian communities and events, including the Nova Music Festival where Yanai was selling handmade jewelry.

“This whole happy moment with two rockets in the sky turned into a huge nightmare,” Yanai said,

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