Life stories

A photography exhibition and life stories of the builders of the land, the founding generation, who were evacuated from their homes in the North following October 7th

“Do not uproot what is planted. Do not ever lose hope”

(Naomi Shemer)

The exhibition “Life Stories” presents reflections and photographs of the elderly residents of the North who were evacuated from their homes following October 7th and the Iron Swords War and who have been staying in hotels in Jerusalem and the Galilee area for over a year.

The project is unique in that it is based on spiritual care interviews. That is, the interviews are structured in a way that gives space to the brokenness, worry and fear, while also placing great emphasis on the strengths and resources of the interviewees. These interviews seek to remind both the interviewee and the reader of the story that a person is not only the broken part of their life. The brokenness is but a part of the complete person which includes their past, their dreams, their worries, and their hopes. We placed the story alongside photographs of the interviewees in their temporary homes; the hotels. A story of memories alongside their current present, fraught with the unknown.

A meaningful mitzvah on Passover is “And you shall tell your child,” all of what happened to us in our nation’s journey. This is exactly what we want to invite our society to do during these Passover days- to listen and connect to the story that will pass from generation to generation.

The war and the evacuation from their homes constituted a complete disruption in their daily lives. It uprooted them from their stable and steady homes and communities, and it opened a new chapter in their lives, precisely at a time when they are winding down. For the elderly in society, those who have seen and experienced a tremendous amount, this new chapter has raised many questions about the future, about the present, and sometimes even about the past.

Those who built their homes, their families and the country with their own two hands, found themselves in a temporary dwelling, not knowing where they will return, when they will return, and with whom they will return.

Precisely at this time we wanted to hear their life story- to express gratitude to the founders and builders of the land (men and women), to help give meaning to their present, with a promise to continue building from them into future generations.

What will you find in the exhibition?

Powerful photographs of the storytellers, set against the backdrop of the prese -
A glimpse into personal life stories that speak about the strengths and resources each person carries, alongside pain and rupture.
Living testimonies about the impact of evacuation—people who built their homes, their families, and the country, and suddenly found themselves in temporary housing, not knowing when or how they would return.
A connection between the current chapter of the Jewish people in the State of Israel and the broader Jewish story as it is told on the night of the Passover Seder.

A Life Story

The chapter in the life of the Jewish people and the State of Israel that is being written now connects to the story told at the Passover Seder. It is a story that holds upheaval and rupture, the longing for freedom and for home, the Exodus from Egypt, and the journey through the desert—a long period of uncertainty and the deep yearning to return home.

We had the privilege of meeting face to face with the builders of the land from the Galilee, hearing about their journey and their homes, receiving their blessings, and writing together—out of hope and an inner movement of life—the next chapters of the Jewish-Israeli story in the north of the country.

The Haverut Association and its spiritual caregivers met with the residents, listened, and documented each person’s life story. Every exhibit in the exhibition represents precious time of testimony, listening, dialogue, heart, and a gift of blessing for the generations to come who will continue the building of the land.

Next to each story is a photograph of the storyteller in the present moment—each person photographed in the hotel where they stayed for more than a year.

Central themes appearing in the exhibition:

Love // Blessing // Home // Expertise // Intergenerational transmission // Life lessons // Fear and worry // Meaning // Hope // Pride // Gratitude

Life stories

A photography exhibition and life stories of the builders of the land, the founding generation, who were evacuated from their homes in the North following October 7th

“Do not uproot what is planted. Do not ever lose hope”

(Naomi Shemer)

What will you find in the exhibition?

A Life Story

Alegria Turjeman

Ilana Amrusi

Anna Amar

Dodik Katzir

Shlomo (Yehuda) Sapir

Hanna Biton

Tami Agany

Shlomo Turjeman

Naftali Shmueli

Perahia Alfassie

Yael Keridi

Hagar Ehrlich Hacster

Céline Turjeman

Tova Safi

Esther Mordechai

Silvia Fahima

Halima

Tamar Katz

Leah Leibovich

Rimond Levy

Aharon Shemesh

Ruti Nigraker

Mary Pinto

Tzippa Peretz

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