Artwork in Your Space
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Celebrated Israeli artist Ira Ginzburg created these illustrations to address the trauma of October 7 and its aftermath, while also expressing her hope for a better future. We invite you to display one or more of the images on the walls of your school, synagogue, federation, JCC, etc., to create opportunities for your learners to engage with the events of October 7 and the stories of the individuals and communities.
In addition to using these illustrations as artwork for your walls, they can also be used to spark conversations about strength, loss, growth, and change.
The iCenter has provided files of these images in a number of different sizes. These images are all free to download and use in your environments.
LET MY PEOPLE GO
This Passover poster was inspired by the timeless call: “Let My People Go.” Each element represents a different moment in our history—from the yellow ribbon symbolizing today’s hostages, to the struggle of Soviet Jews in the 1970s, to the horrors of the Holocaust, and all the way back to our origins as slaves in Egypt. These symbols serve as a reminder that the fight for freedom spans generations—and continues to this day.
UNBROKEN
This year for Passover, I chose to illustrate strength and the unbreakable Jewish spirit through the hand of Emily Damary. She returned from captivity after enduring unimaginable pain, her head held high. The sign she made with her hand became a symbol of resilience and victory. Like our people throughout history, she overcame Pharaoh and emerged stronger.
THE JOURNEY TOWARDS FREEDOM
I created this poster to represent the journey from captivity to freedom. The yellow ribbon—now a symbol of hostages—transforms into a path, unfolding ahead with strength and hope. It serves as a visual echo of the phrase “Let My People Go,” a reminder that liberation is an ongoing process, still in motion.
EXODUS
This illustration was created for Passover 2024, during a painful time for Israel. It shows hostages trapped in Hamas tunnels, while our people heads into one of the most meaningful chagim: Passover, a holiday centered around family gatherings. This contrast makes the pain even deeper. I named it Exodus as a prayer and a vision. Just as the Red Sea once opened for the Israelites, I believe the walls will open again—this time, for those still waiting to come home. In this work, I tried to connect that ancient journey to our present-day reality where we are still waiting for miracles, for courage, and for unity.
TENSION
The illustration depicts a poignant allegory of the Israel-Hamas hostage deal. A taut yellow ribbon, symbolizing the nation’s collective tension and hope, is shown stretched to its limit. The ribbon is barely holding together, clinging by a single, fragile thread. This image represents the tenuous nature of the hostage negotiations and the intense emotional strain felt by the Israeli people. Just as the ribbon hangs by a thread, the entire nation stands united in a state of anxious anticipation, fervently praying for the safe return of their loved ones.
TENSION AND HOPE: THE MOMENT
The illustration portrays three small women dressed in pink outfits provided by Hamas, cautiously making their way along a thin yellow rope suspended over a vast abyss. The rope, once a symbol of solidarity as a yellow ribbon, now reflects the precarious and delicate path from captivity to freedom. Their tentative steps capture the fragility of hostage negotiations, embodying both the tension and hope for their potential release. The artwork underscores the vulnerability of these young women, emphasizing their humanity amid the broader complexities of conflict.
THE WHEAT GROWS AGAIN
Inspired by the iconic Israeli memorial song “The Wheat Grows Again” by Dorit Tzameret, this illustration embodies the resilience and hope that arise from tragedy. The song, written after the Yom Kippur War, symbolizes the idea that even in the wake of immense loss, with human effort and commitment, life can flourish again. In this illustration, a broken heart buried in the soil represents a seed that, despite being shattered, gives rise to a tiny sprout of hope. This sprout, nurtured by a little girl watering the soil, symbolizes the popping up of light from darkness, and the nurturing of ideas for peace and a better future.
STITCHING WOUNDS
“Stitching Wounds” is a thought-provoking piece that captures the October 7 war through a visual metaphor. The artwork depicts a woman stitching a blanket, featuring the Star of David and western Negev settlements. Her act of stitching symbolizes the effort to mend deep-seated wounds of conflict and division, suggesting a desire for healing and reconciliation. The woman’s quiet determination speaks to resilience and hope. The illustration invites viewers to contemplate healing in a region torn by recent conflict, raising questions about identity, coexistence, and reconciliation. Through its nuanced symbolism, it encourages dialogue and reflection on the path toward peace.
FIELDS OF MEMORY
The illustration captures the lasting legacy of Yacobi Inon, showing him with his granddaughter hugging him tightly. This touching moment symbolizes the continuity of life and love, even in the face of loss. Yacobi’s shirt is drawn without detail to signify his absence after he and his wife, Bilha, were tragically killed on October 7. Yacobi and his granddaughter stand surrounded by the vibrant wheat fields named after him, “Yacobi.” This scene reflects the strong bond between a man and his land, honoring Yacobi’s contributions to agriculture and his role in nurturing future generations of farmers. Yacobi Inon was the father of Maoz Inon, who, following the tragic deaths of his parents, chose not to seek revenge but instead became a prominent peace activist. This decision reflects the Inon family’s long standing belief in peace over war, a value that has been passed down through generations. Maoz’s commitment to dialogue and reconciliation, even in the face of personal loss, honors his parents’ memory and continues their legacy of working towards a more peaceful future.
A MOTHER’S DUAL DUTY
This illustration captures the essence of motherhood in Israel’s current reality. The mother, having just returned from her duties in IDF, savors a precious moment with her little one before saying goodnight. This image reflects the challenging balance many Israeli women face—serving their country alongside men while maintaining their roles as loving mothers. It’s a reminder of the sacrifices made by families during times of conflict, where the line between soldier and parent often blurs. The child, safe in their mother’s arms, represents hope amidst the turmoil. Despite the hardships of war, this moment of connection shows the strength of a mother’s love, and the resilience of Israeli families.
TRIUMPH OF SPIRIT
This illustration is dedicated to Ami Dadaon’s journey—from a premature birth with cerebral palsy to becoming a world-class Paralympic swimmer. It symbolizes resilience and national pride, capturing Ami’s remarkable achievement in the 2024 Paris Paralympics. His pose speaks volumes about overcoming physical limitations, reflecting his own words: “When I’m in the water, I don’t think about anything, only the race.” His raised hand and victorious expression symbolize not just a personal triumph, but a message of hope for Israel, echoing his statement about representing his people and giving them hope during
difficult times.
SWALLOWS OF CHANGE
The swallows in the scene symbolize a change in weather, reflecting our hope that the political climate in Israel and around the world will transform for the better. The swallow is indeed often associated with changes in weather and seasons, particularly the arrival of spring. In many cultures, the appearance of swallows is linked to the end of winter and the beginning of spring. This association has led to their use as symbols of hope, renewal, and positive change.
HELLO FIRST GRADE
This illustration addresses the challenging reality faced by teachers and students as they return to school after the tragedy of October 7. It raises the question of how educators will help children cope with the painful absence of their missing friends, emphasizing the need for compassion, understanding, and support in the healing process.
THE VISIONARIES OF THE NATION
The illustration is set in the shuk at the end of the day, where the unsold fruit lies near the garbage. Three of Israel’s founding leaders are searching among the scattered leftover Jaffa oranges.
Jaffa oranges are a symbol of a vision not only of a flourishing and prosperous Land of Israel, but also of the proud new Israeli who works the land. The three former prime ministers in the illustration—David Ben-Gurion, Golda Meir, and Menachem Begin—were the leaders who shaped the vision and blueprint for how our country was supposed to look today.
Their actions as prime ministers are also at the center of many of today’s tensions. The Yom Kippur War unfolded on Golda’s watch; Begin was the one to make peace with Egypt; and Ben-Gurion agreed that ultra-Orthodox men would not be conscripted into military service in the early years of the state.
All these milestones are controversial in today’s Israel. Some of the values they represent are being reevaluated, like the meaning of peace and the price we pay for it. These three leaders—now much older—are forced to sort out these values and clear away the “rotten,” leaving only those that are still relevant to be carried into the coming years or (God willing) forever.
MENDING OUR STRENGTH
In the face of unspeakable tragedy, we find resilience. This illustration symbolizes the unwavering spirit of a nation piecing itself back together after the heartbreaking loss of six hostages in Hamas tunnels. Each careful stitch represents the collective effort to heal, remember, and move forward with dignity. It speaks to the resilience of the human spirit and the unbreakable bonds of national identity.
09.01.2024: THREADS OF MEMORY
This piece, dedicated to the victims of those killed in captivity, portrays a woman taking ribbons from her hair—once symbols of care and life—and laying them down. The gesture is quiet, but full of meaning. Something has been broken. Something has changed.
Works like this one are my way of mourning. A way of saying: we saw them. We carry them. We remember.
POWERLESS
This series was created in response to the murder of six hostages on September 1, 2024—a day when the entire country sank into mourning. It was more than grief. It was exhaustion. Helplessness. A moment when we felt we had no strength left to fight, and hope was slipping away.
We didn’t know them personally, but we felt like we did. In Israel, the faces of the missing live in our homes. Their deaths felt like losing someone from our own family.
This illustration expresses the weight of that loss.
אולי יעניין אתכם גם
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