“Through Their Eyes,” a visual and testimonial exhibit on the Oct. 7 Hamas attack at Kfar Aza, will make its U.S. debut in the Twin Cities later this month.
The exhibit, running from Sept. 25 to Oct. 11 at the Barry Family Campus in St. Louis Park, presents life in the kibbutz before, during and after the attack. An estimated 250 Hamas militants stormed the community, killing 64 civilians and abducting 19 hostages.
“It humanizes the lives of those who fell and it tells their personal story, and through that we get the hope and resilience to continue going forward,” said cofounder Lawrence Badzin.
Badzin, who made aliyah 20 years ago, was born and raised in the Twin Cities. He said bringing firsthand accounts back to Minnesota is his way of making a meaningful impact in the aftermath of Oct. 7.
More than half of his auto parts company staff in Israel was called to reserve duty after the attack. When they returned, they urged Badzin to visit Kfar Aza. That connection helped inspire the creation of Through Their Eyes.
Badzin said visitors should prepare for an “emotion-evoking journey” through immersive displays that honor murdered kibbutz members, as well as guards, soldiers, first responders and hostages. The exhibit includes real-time communication transcripts, personal testimony and visual displays.
Five kibbutz members, including former hostages Keith and Aviva Siegel, are expected to attend the exhibit’s launch. In conjunction with the exhibit, the Kfar Aza residents will be taking part in a conversation moderated by Israeli actress/author/activist Noa Tishby on Sept. 28 at Beth El Synagogue.
“They’re very eager to share their stories, because they’re stories that should be heard from the people who experienced it,” Badzin said. “It’s not told through this person or that person or the media. It’s right from the original source.”
Survivor Michal Rottenberg, who hid for hours during the attack, is one of the speakers.
“I have no other choice. I have children to continue raising and I strive to give them an optimistic picture of the future of life in Israel,” Rottenberg said. “Our story must be told as a warning to the entire world about what evil can create.”
Hanita Baram, whose son Aviv was killed on Oct. 7, said she hopes audiences in Minnesota connect with Kfar Aza as people, not just as a headline.
“More than anything, I hope you walk away with a sense of connection,” Baram said. “We were a peaceful community who loved our home. What happened to us could happen to anyone if hate is allowed to flourish.”
Tickets for the gallery exhibit are available online and prices start at $10. Proceeds from the exhibit will help support rebuilding efforts in Kfar Aza.
Hear more from organizer Lawrence Badzin on the upcoming episode of the Who The Folk?! Podcast, available Sunday morning, Sept. 14, on TC Jewfolk or wherever you listen to podcasts.
When will this exhibit — through their eyes come to NYC or Philadelphia?