Day 555 - Israeli art in a post-October 7 world

Apr 13, 2025

Jessica Steinberg, Culture editor at The Times of Israel, dives into the resilience of Israeli art following the October 7 attacks. She highlights the poignant 'Heroines' exhibit at Design Museum Holon, showcasing fashion as a beacon of hope. The discussion shifts to artist Ester Schneider's 'Hoshana' at Bat Yam Museum, where themes of grief and healing emerge through innovative installations. Steinberg also touches on the emotional journey of hostage families preparing for Passover, exemplified by a mother's heartfelt children's Haggadah.

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INSIGHT

Artists Reflect on October 7th

Israeli artists began reflecting on October 7th tragedies a few weeks after the event.
Artistic response became a major theme in exhibits by late 2023 in Israeli museums.

INSIGHT

Museums Pivot to War Themes

Museums paused long-planned exhibits to focus on war-related themes.
Israeli artists' existing war-related works facilitated quick thematic shifts in displays.

ANECDOTE

WWII Fashion as Hope Exhibit

Design Museum Cholon’s 'Heroines' exhibit highlights WWII fashion's role as hope.
Designers used unconventional materials like flower sacks and parachutes amidst scarcity.

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Welcome to The Times of Israel's Daily Briefing, your 20-minute audio update on what's happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world.

Culture editor Jessica Steinberg joins host Amanda Borschel-Dan for today's episode.

We begin today's program by discussing Israeli art in a post-October 7 world. Steinberg brings us several examples, starting with Design Museum Holon latest exhibit, “Heroines.” Steinberg explains how this show examines how fashion design provided a sense of hope during dark times.

Our next stop is the spiral surroundings of the Bat Yam Museum of Art, which are hosting artist Ester Schneider in her first solo museum exhibit, “Hoshana,” which showcases her installations, paintings and watercolors. Steinberg sets the scene.

Sofie Berzon Mackie, Kibbutz Be’eri’s art gallery director and curator, has lived and worked in more than one temporary home since the Hamas onslaught on October 7, 2023, decimated her home and community. Steinberg shares how the Be’eri gallery, an art institution cherished on the kibbutz since 1986, was torched by Hamas terrorists, leaving nothing untouched. She explains where the art -- and curator -- are now.

Finally, we turn to how hostage parents have prepared themselves for another Passover seder without their children who are still in bondage. One example is Viki Cohen, whose son Nimrod Cohen was a soldier taken captive by Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023. Viki has recently released a children’s Haggadah for Passover, adding illustrations of the hostages — those still in captivity, those who were freed and those who were killed — and symbols and signs of their lives. We hear more.

For further reading:

Fashion exhibit looks at design as symbol of hope during World War II

Artist calls for salvation in show at Bat Yam museum

Be’eri artist and gallery director finds clarity in temporary home, art and family

Hostages’ families yearn and mourn in new Passover Haggadahs

Subscribe to The Times of Israel Daily Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. This episode was produced by the Pod-Waves.

IMAGE: From 'Heroines,' an exhibit about fashion design during wartime at the Holon Design Museum, from April 2025 (Credit Elad Sarig)

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