The Center for Jewish History: One Day in October

I attended a viewing of One Day in October at the Center for Jewish History. The Center features an exhibit dedicated to The Paper Brigade, heroes saving the written word at great peril during WWII. The rare books library includes George Salter’s book cover designs, including Karl Marx’s Das Kapital. My philosophies lean de Beauvoir, but appreciative of the collection. The Center for Jewish History is beautiful. And who doesn’t like a little Marx in their evening?

We viewed Episode Four: “Light, My Light,” named after Sabine Taasa’s eldest son, Or, meaning light. Or was killed on October 7th by Hamas terrorists. “Light, My Light,” available now on HBO Max, documents “Sabine Taasa’s world shatter[ing] as her [ex]husband and eldest son are murdered by terrorists. Determined to save her remaining children, Sabine fights with unwavering courage. (HBO Max)

Following the viewing, Sabine sat on a panel moderated by Margarita Lyadova. Also on panel was co-director, Daniel Finkelman, who we met before the viewing, and producer, Chaya Amor, who was gracious in her appreciations for the support of attendees. Sabine Taasa stayed with me most, her courage and story. That morning before the viewing, I watched CNN reports of two Palestinian boys recently killed by drones after the ceasefire. I took this with me into the viewing.

In such a divisive war, where trauma and tragedy and death affects so many families and individuals on both sides, I was moved by the strength, courage and resilience of Sabine Taasa and that of her sons as they survive such trauma and loss of their eldest and the boys’ father, while sharing their story globally. It is inspirational. Sabine Taasa insists her story and that of her sons is a human story, not political.

I wish I could have heard the words of the mother who lost her two sons in Gaza, too. Sabine Taasa’s words of strength and empathy and those of the Palestinian mother we might never hear, together, might offer a dialogue sorely needed in the world.

Rae Cline

Rae Cline is the author of the short story collection The Indefinite State of Imaginary Morals (Patasola Press, NY). Her debut novel is forthcoming from 7.13 Books in spring 2026. Her stories, essays, and poetry have appeared in print and online at The Paris Review, The Missouri Review, McSweeney’s, DIAGRAM, North American Review, Gargoyle and more. Her fiction and creative nonfiction have won prizes, scholarships and fellowships from Johns Hopkins, American University, Aspen Writers Foundation and North American Review. She earned an M.A. in Writing at Hopkins and received her M.F.A. in Fiction and Creative Nonfiction from American University, where she was the recipient of the Starr and Sartwell scholarships. She has lectured on campuses and other venues including Hopkins, American University, the International Writing Program at the University of Iowa, St. Mary’s College of Maryland and others. She is the founding editor of Eckleburg and is represented by Jennifer Carlson with Dunow, Carlson & Lerner Literary Agency. Read more at raecline.com.