It’s been over a year since October 7th, 2023—a day that changed everything. For me, and so many Israelis and Jewish people, it’s a date forever etched in our hearts. This past year has felt frozen in time, shaped by the weight of that day and the war that followed. Here in Israel, grief is everywhere. Everyone seems to know someone directly affected or lost. Families are shattered, hearts broken, and yet, we keep trying to move forward—to find moments of normalcy and hold onto what brings us comfort.

For many, art has been a refuge—a way to express the heavy emotions words can’t always capture. I’ve seen some incredible art initiatives this year offering light and solace in the darkness. Here are a few that have really stood out:

The Daily Postcard, by “Shoshke” – Zeev Engelmayer

Zeev Engelmayer is a well-known Israeli artist, illustrator, comic book creator, performer, activist, and lecturer. A few years ago, he brought to life the character “Shoshke,” which started as a funny comic drawing of a blonde woman. Over time, Shoshke became more than just a character; she turned into Zeev’s alter ego, allowing him to explore big themes like identity, gender, and society in a creative and engaging way.

One of Shoshke’s most impactful and recent projects is “The Daily Postcard.” It began during the first negotiations of the hostages deal on November 23, when Zeev started sharing a series of drawings on social media. These drawings, which capture the pain and struggles of the moment, quickly went viral, spreading across the internet and beyond. The postcards are a mix of bright, childlike colors and the brutal realities they portray, creating a powerful and emotional connection with everyone who sees them.

I think that what’s so special about these postcards and why they touch so many people is that he manages to capture such a wide range of emotions and responds relevantly to every event that’s happening while it’s happening. They manage to hold within them the conflicts and mixed emotions and give life to every person, every moment, and every story.

🔗 You can see all of them in Shoshke’s IG account.

Melodies for Emergency No. 2: Finding Hope in Music Again

Remember four years ago, during COVID-19? The global pandemic made it feel like the world was collapsing around us. During that difficult time, Israeli musicians Sapir Vollach and Adi Shaham brought together a group of artists to create an album called מנגינות לשעת חירום (mahn-gee-noht leh-shaht cheh-room), which means “Melodies for Emergency Time.” It’s a clever play on the phrase תקנות לשעת חירום (emergency regulations) – something we know all too well here in Israel.

Now, once again, we find ourselves in a moment that feels overwhelming and never-ending. Music, though, has a way of helping us connect, offering healing for the wounded soul. Vollach and Shaham have reunited to release a second album: Melodies for Emergency No. 2. This new collection features Israeli artists, many collaborating with musicians evacuated from the areas near Gaza and the north. The songs capture the pain, violence, fear, and hope in small moments.

Poems of October 7th:

When it’s hard to find the right words for what I’m feeling, I often turn to the words of others. Reading a poem or text that perfectly captures an emotion I’m experiencing gives me a sense of comfort I rarely find elsewhere. You might find this project meaningful if you also feel deeply connected to words and poetry. “Poetry Treasure,” an archive of Israeli poetry, has created a unique collection dedicated to the poems of October 7th. The ten selected poems, curated by Poetry Place—a beautiful poetry hub in Jerusalem—have been translated into four languages (English, French, Spanish, and Italian), allowing more people to connect with the emotions and stories surrounding the war. Words can be a bridge to some of the most complex emotions.

🔗 You can read the poems here

Be’eri Gallery:

Be’eri Gallery opened its doors in 1986, celebrating the 40th anniversary of Kibbutz Be’eri. It quickly became a cultural beacon in Israel’s periphery, showcasing over 400 exhibitions of contemporary Israeli art across all mediums – paintings, sculptures, video art, and more. The gallery worked closely with established and emerging artists, fostering a connection between the local community and the art world. Tragically, in October 2024, during the brutal Hamas attack on the kibbutz, the gallery was utterly destroyed. But the spirit of the gallery lives on. Through the art community’s collective efforts and international support, Be’eri Gallery has temporarily relocated to Tel Aviv for the next three years until the kibbutz is rebuilt and it can return to its original home.

🔗 Read about it here.

There are so many beautiful artistic initiatives out there, and I encourage you to take a moment to explore and find the ones that really move something inside you. There’s a well-known Hebrew saying, אמנות או נמות (oh-mah-noot oh nah-moot), which means “Art or we’ll die.” I always thought it was a bit dramatic, but with so much loss around us this past year, it’s started to resonate deeply. It gets under my skin. I hope we’ll see much more incredible art being created, but this time, without all the grief and loss. I hope that day comes soon.