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Arnie Draiman: Forever and Eternity: Israeli Art that Highlights Victory During Wartime

photo credits: Efrat Dorel https://www.facebook.com/nehami.rabani/

During wartime, artists often channel their creativity to depict both national and personal victories. Through their work, they capture the resilience and spirit of the nation, celebrating moments of triumph and solidarity. Art becomes a healing process, offering solace and understanding for many. For artists, the act of creating is a cathartic release; for viewers, exhibitions provide emotional refuge, fostering communal healing, and offering hope amidst adversity.

There is an exhibit currently on display at the Ariel Center for Performing Arts entitled “Forever and Eternity.” The name is a play on the Hebrew word ‘Netzach’, which is also the root of the word ‘victory.’ The phrase is taken from Omer period between Passover and Shavuot and Ophra Shoshtari, the curator, explains, “Netzach because we are the nation without an end, we will continue on. And Nitzachon as victory because we are strong, intelligent and full of kindness; we know how to win and why we must.”

Paintings, music, and literature serve as powerful mediums to convey the collective struggle and perseverance, highlighting the strength and unity of their people. Simultaneously, these artistic expressions reveal personal victories, offering glimpses into individual experiences of courage, loss, and hope. By merging the national with the personal, artists provide a poignant commentary on the human condition, underscoring the enduring power of art to inspire and uplift amidst adversity.

The purpose of the “Forever and Eternity” exhibition, clarifies Shoshtari, is to “to lift up, to encourage, to be proud.” Each item in the exhibit is very striking, created and displayed in its own unique way. Chani Cohen Zada was in Auschwitz for the March of the Living program this past May. The group was given small unadorned paddles – like ping pong paddles – and asked to write a message on them, and then ‘plant them’ in the ground by the railroad tracks. There were about 40 paddles left over, and Chani took them home with her to Israel and created a set of 40 highlights of the ongoing war, focusing on “the miracles, and not losses.”

Artist Avraham Vofsi captures the wedding of two close friends choosing to get married during wartime, as well as this very commanding kibbutz woman hauling a bale of wheat on her shoulder, “reminiscent of the powerful figure of Ruth,” from the Biblical story we read on Shavuot. Inbal Singer chose to see the great acts of bravery that have taken place during the war, and in particular, she highlights “the important contributions of some impressive women,” including Rachel Goldberg-Polin (mother of hostage Hersh), Noa Tishbi (media influencer), Rachel Edri (the rescued hostage from Ofakim), Anya Knafo (ambulance driver who rescued many on October 7th), Dr. Debra West (head of emergency at Assuta Hospital who worked non-stop for days), and many others.

A part of the exhibit does focus on the fallen, and extraordinary teen artist Yedidya Amar was asked to draw two of those who were killed in the fighting. His work is outstanding, and worth the visit just for this. The wall that is dedicated to our fallen soldiers and “is full of beauty,” says Shoshtari, quite emotionally. “The beautiful faces of good people who gave us everything. The beauty of the creativity of the artists, who each chose specific people to honor, to remember and to be inspired by, in order to create an artwork in their image.”

Shoshtari also includes two interactive parts to the display: if you want to send in a picture of your own artwork, she will use it as part of the ongoing exhibit. In addition, they ask those who want to remember a fallen soldier to write about them in the guest book so others can be inspired by them as well.

“The goal is to open an art gallery in Ariel,” says Ariel Mayor Yair Chetboun. “Until then, we are building an infrastructure of art exhibitions.” Shoshtari runs a non-profit dedicated to creating exhibition spaces for art in Ariel and the surrounding areas. Her strong emotional ties to art and to the land shine through. She declares, “The Nation of Israel is the eternal nation, the victorious nation, and the nation that will be a family forever.”

Forever and Eternity, on display at the Ariel Cultural Center, 5 Ha’Atzmau’t Street (an easy 20-minute drive from the Kesem Interchange on Route 6, near Rosh HaAyin)

Open Sunday – Thursday, 9:00-12:00, through June 27, free of charge.

For other times, contact Ophra Shoshtari [email protected]

Arnie Draiman is a philanthropic consultant helping people and foundations give their tzedakah money away wisely, efficiently and effectively. He is also a very experienced social media and website guru and enjoys reviewing restaurants, hotels, and tourist attractions. He can be reached at [email protected] or www.draimanconsulting.com