Educating in a New Era
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Resources in the Wake of October 7
In the aftermath of the October 7 attacks, The iCenter has compiled a variety of resources to help support both educators’ and learners’ engagement with the complexities of the day. These materials include art, music, poetry, personal stories, and other curricular resources designed to promote meaningful learning and reflection, and to encourage thoughtful dialogue. The collection offers discussion questions, activities, and learning guides that help to integrate cultural materials into formal learning. By empowering educators and learners to explore complexity in a more accessible manner, we open the door to healing, solidarity, and learning amidst ongoing distress.
RESOURCES INCLUDED IN THIS COMPILATION
Hear stories of sadness, anger, courage, and possibility
Explore complexity and engage essential materials
MUSIC
Artwork by Ira Ginzburg
SONG OF HOPE
Even musicians gather strength from other artists’ work. In Beit Avi Chai’s new video series and educational resource package, prominent Israeli singers talk about the music that brings them hope and comfort. Hearing reflections by Jimbo J, Shai Tsabari, and Ester Rada among others, is breathtaking and inspiring.
Artwork by Ira Ginzburg
SONGS OF COLLECTIVE MEMORY
Since October 7, there have been hundreds of new songs written in Israel. One example is “U’me’poh Nakum,” a song written to be performed by the 14 finalists of the competition, “HaKokhav HaBa La’Erovision” (The Rising Star to Eurovision). Songs of Collective Memory houses the lyrics, videos, and explanations of many Israeli songs.
Artwork by Ira Ginzburg
Israel is filled with stories of musicians who are making their art and themselves available to the public. Many musicians are advocating for the hostages and creating beauty in times of hardship. Here is a sampling of some of those songs and stories.
Artwork by Ira Ginzburg
SOUNDTRACKS FOR OUR TIME
In the wake of October 7 and the ensuing war, Israel has been living with music that cannot escape the shadow of current events. The iCenter has created playlists of the songs that are serving as comfort and companions to Israelis during these volatile times.
ART
@avishag_sy
AVISHAG SHAAR-YASHUV
Avishag Shaar-Yashuv is an Israeli photojournalist who has captured devastating images of the war. Her photos have appeared in a variety of Israeli and international media, including the New York Times. Her Instagram feed is an up-to-date source of many of her photos. A profile piece of Avishag appeared in ISRAEL21c.
@shoshke_engelmayer
SHOSHKE ENGLEMEYER
Shoshke Englemeyer is an Israeli artist whose work has been deeply influenced by the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. His most sustained artistic effort since Hamas’ attacks has been the creation of “the daily postcard” which he shares on Facebook and Instagram. A profile of Shoshke Englemeyer appeared on ISRAEL21c.
Artwork by Ira Ginzburg
IRA GINZBURG
Since October 7, Ira Ginzburg has shared powerful illustrations that can serve as inspiration for dialogue and reflection. Her latest collection is Stars in the Sky, an illustrated meditation on balancing trauma and hope. Illustration as Reflection: CityKat Stories speaks to her educational vision. Ira is the artist in residence at The iCenter.
Artwork by Ira Ginzburg
GRAPHIC DESIGNERS
Israeli graphic designers are expressing the story of Israel and Israelis through their art. Design Duty: Artists as Activists is an educational resource for using images from the Design Duty website. On Instagram, @atufim.oct.2023 is a collection of illustrations by Israel’s leading artists that came together after October 7.
Artwork by Ira Ginzburg
Dana Lalkin, director of the photography exhibit “Local Testimony,” chose seven images to represent key values and ideas that are important as Israel enters its 77th year. She argues these images should guide the continued development of the state and Israeli society.
ANU: OCTOBER SEVENTH
Tel Aviv’s ANU museum has been telling the story of the Jewish people for decades. The new exhibit, “October Seventh,” examines how Israeli artists have responded to the war and how works created before October 7 now have new meaning. ANU has made the exhibit works available to be downloaded, printed, and displayed free of charge.
POETRY
Artwork by Guy Pitchon
RACHEL POLIN
Rachel Polin was thrust onto the global stage after her son Hersh was kidnapped by Hamas. She’s worked tirelessly for the return of the hostages, even in the wake of Hersh’s murder. She wrote the poem “One Tiny Seed”—a call for an end to violence and a peaceful future for people in Israel and Gaza—and delivered it at the UN in Geneva.
Artwork by Revital Ziv
TAL SHAVIT
Tal Shavit was previously the director of the nonprofit Seeds of Peace in Israel, working for over a decade to support efforts towards finding a solution to the conflict in the region. Her poem, “Yom Tov,” expresses the desperate need to be active and help in the wake of October 7, while at the same time battling feelings of exhaustion and anxiety.
Artwork by Ira Ginzburg
AGI MISHOL
Agi Mishol is an Israeli poet who was part of a devastating literary project: writing eulogies for the 100+ members of Kibbutz Be’eri who were murdered on October 7. Early in the war, Agi wrote “Shelter,” a reflection on the importance of poetry during a time of violence. She shared her experiences on the Israel Story podcast.
Artwork by Ira Ginzburg
IRIS ELIYA COHEN
Iris Eliya Cohen’s poetry blends yearnings and hope for a better present, a strong belief in the power of the human spirit and kindness, and a sense of responsibility for justice. Dreaming of a New Day includes several of her poems along with reflection questions and writing exercises.
Available on Amazon
NEW POETRY COLLECTION
Shiva: Poems of October 7 is an anthology of 59 new Israeli poems that captures how Israeli society continues to process the events of October 7 and beyond. The collection features new Hebrew works from 36 Israeli poets along with their English translation. Rachel Korazim offers recorded discussions of each of the poems.
PERSONAL STORIES
Omer Ohana
Sagi Golan and his partner Omer Ohana were going to be married, until the former was tragically killed in action in Be’eri in the early hours of October 8. In the weeks after Sagi’s death, Omer led a successful campaign to legally secure the rights of same-sex and common law partners of fallen soldiers. You can listen to their story here and read more about Sagi here.
Adi Leon
Staff Sergeant Adi Leon, from the settlement of Nili, was a 20-year-old soldier in the Tzabar Battalion of the Givati Brigade. Before entering Gaza, Adi left a notebook behind with the words “read after my death” written on its cover. Since his passing, Adi’s life and the notebook he left behind have been used to create a collection of resources called The Lights of Adi in his memory.
Naamah Levy
Naamah Levy’s abduction became a symbol of Hamas’ violence. On the podcast, Unholy: Two Jews on the News, Naama’s mother Ayelet shares what it means to fight relentlessly for the return of one’s children. You can listen to her story here and learn more about Naama here. Visit the Tastes Like Home project to see how the recipes of hostages like Naama are being used to spread their stories.
Mohammad Darawshe
Mohammad Darawshe—Director of Strategy at The Center for Shared Society at Givat Haviva—reflects in this thought piece about the importance of working toward unity, in Israel and beyond, during times of extreme division. For more information on Arab Israelis, turn to this FAQ and for more information on the impact of October 7 on Arab Israelis, see this report from the Task Force on Israeli-Arab Issues, which includes information as well as stories of heroism and volunteerism.
Tzvika Mor
Tzvika Mor is from the West Bank settlement of Kiryat Arba. His son, Eitan, was kidnapped from the Nova Festival after spending nine hours heroically evacuating injured party-goers. Tzvika is an outlier among the families of the hostages, as he maintains that the Israeli government should keep on fighting, and reject any offer that includes a ceasefire, even if it comes at the cost of his son’s freedom, perhaps even his life. You can listen to his story on the Israel Story podcast.
Linoy Elezra
Linoy Elezra is a senior Magen David Adom medic. On the morning of October 7, nine-year-old Michael from Kibbutz Kfar Azza called to get help for his parents, but it was already too late. Linoy told him to take his six-year-old sister Amalia and hide. Michael and Amalia were saved thanks to Linoy’s courage. Their little sister Abigail, three years old, was kidnapped to Gaza, but released on November 26, 2023 as part of the week-long truce. Stories like Linoy’s can be found through Women: Heroines of the War.
For more stories visit our Authentic Voices resource.
CURRICULAR RESOURCES
The Words Matters resources and activities can guide thoughtful, probing discussions around some of the hottest, most controversial issues related to the war.
This resource provides examples, tips, and processes for supporting educators to prepare for and facilitate the challenging conversations of today.
These FAQs offer lots of easy-to-access information to help dive deep as you guide learners through critical thinking about challenging topics of the day.
