Bereaved Mothers' Letters Memorialized in Beit She'an Exhibition

An exhibition titled "Do You Hear My Voice?" is currently on display at the Beit Yad Le'Banim in Beit She'an, honoring nine residents of the city who were killed since October 7th and during the Swords of Iron War. The exhibit features personal letters written by their mothers, reflecting on memories, longing, and family moments that will never be. The initiative was launched by the Beit She'an Community Center to mark three years since the war began and to provide a space for the families' personal recollections.

Ilana Ovadia, an employee at the community center, approached the bereaved mothers and asked them to write a letter to their lost child. These letters form the core of the exhibition, allowing the public to understand the honorees through their parents' eyes. Alongside the mothers' letters, a joint text by Tchya and Uri Deutsch, parents of Yonatan, is also presented. The letters recall hugs, conversations, and simple home moments.

Iris Ben Shitrit writes to her son Elroai about the emptiness in the house and how his room remains untouched, as if time stopped for him. She describes imagining him knocking on the door and her opening it to find him smiling, and preparing his favorite beet kugel. She also mentions three nephews born after his death, emphasizing that the house feels empty without him.

Sara Schwartz, mother of Segev, writes about the memorials created in his memory and how her family has grown since his passing. She states, "We continue to tell who you were, about your heart, about your friends, about the way you lived and about your heroism that morning." She expresses a mix of pride and heartbreak, saying she would trade all memorials for one more day with him.

Rachel Moalem, mother of Naama, describes collecting her daughter's stories, photos, and values to inspire others. She writes, "This is one of the ways I continue to be your mother, to keep your path alive and pass on your light." Ovadia explained that the project aims to give mothers a platform to speak, remember, and maintain their connection with their children, describing the letters as a continuous, loving conversation. The exhibition is open at Beit Yad Le'Banim in Beit She'an from October 5th to 8th, between 8:30 AM and 3:00 PM.