A year of resilience: honoring the Nova Festival victims in a Shana M'uberret

On October 27th 2024, close to Kibbutz Re’im, people from every part of Israel gathered at the field where the Nova Festival took place just over a year ago. Although the Gregorian calendar marked October 7th 2023 as the date of the massacre, the Jewish calendar - rooted in lunar cycles had nearly three weeks of separation between these dates.

This year, however, carries an added layer of significance in Jewish tradition. It is a "pregnant year," or “shana m'uberret,” a leap year carrying profound symbolism that resonates deeply in moments of national reflection.

What is a “Pregnant Year”?

In contrast to the Gregorian leap year, which simply adds a day every four years, the Jewish calendar periodically adds a whole month to maintain its alignment with the solar cycle. While the Gregorian calendar accounts for the discrepancy in the Earth's orbit by adding an extra day to February, the Jewish lunar calendar requires more dramatic adjustments: every few years, a thirteenth month is introduced to reconcile the 354-day lunar year with the 365-day solar cycle, ensuring that holidays like Passover remain in spring and Sukkot in autumn.

The Hebrew term for a leap year, “shana m'uberret,” literally translates to “pregnant year.” This concept reflects not just the addition of time but a sense of growth and purpose. Just like a physical pregnancy, the “pregnant year” holds within it the potential for life, growth, and balance, symbolizing a reconciliation of consistency and change.

The Nova Festival: a tragedy of innocence lost

The Nova Festival, held on October 7th 2023, was meant to celebrate life in all its forms, a peaceful gathering where people from the most diverse backgrounds enjoyed music and vibed to the beats of the best Israeli DJs. What began as a joyful event was horrifically shattered by acts of violence that can’t even be put into words, with armed terrorists literally landing upon the crowd from the sky. In an instant, the festival turned into a terror how, as people started running for their lives looking for shelters.

In the days that followed, the nation grappled with the horror of what had transpired, confronted with haunting images and testimonies. The stories of innocent lives taken at a peaceful celebration serve as a reminder of the unpredictable fragility of life. For many who were present or knew someone at the festival, this day will forever be marked by a sense of profound loss and bewilderment.

The tragedy at the Nova Festival resonates beyond Israel: it brings to mind the unifying struggle for peace, freedom, and justice shared by people across nations. As conversations unfold about conflicts worldwide, the Nova Festival massacre stands as a reminder of the power of perspective, the importance of informed understanding, and the universal right to peace.

By reflecting on the Nova Festival in the context of a “pregnant year,” there is an opportunity to find balance, recognizing the weight of memory and the necessity of growth. This period of remembrance allows for a convergence of sorrow and hope, helping communities to honor the past while looking forward to a future built on resilience, unity, and peace.