Heroes of World War II in the Jezreel Valley
Photo: Autumn Paulman
introduction
"This venture came to illuminate the story of World War II heroes from its various sides"
World War II broke out in Europe in 1939 and wiped out about half of the Jewish population. Some were sent to concentration camps, hidden in forests, lived under false identities, assisted partisan forces and struggled to survive. In collaboration with the Jezreel Valley Regional Council, we embarked on a documentary journey following the story of the heroes of World War II from its various sides. We met those who were then boys and girls, boys and girls, and who chose to build their lives in Israel and throughout the Jezreel Valley Regional Council. They sought to share in their memories the younger generation and to convey the message of their love for this country, which is no small thing for them._ cc781905-5cde-3194-bb3b-136bad5cf58d_
Although the documented went through the war in different places, they all tell of hunger, cold, despair, hatred, loss and fear. They tell how the home front became the bomb-absorbing front. Some lost a mother or father, and found themselves alone. From these moments also emerges a spark of humanity, of help and hope. The survival instinct that once was in their hearts, evoked hope to build a new and better life. A hope that became a reality when they immigrated to Israel. Among the documented, people are kissing at the age of a hundred, and their clear memory is inspiring.
This moving product comes to share their personal testimony about the historic event, and describes the heroism that is revealed in a time of difficulty and the hope that was in their hearts for the day when the war will end. are our heroes.
The Autographers is an international artistic documentation project that aims to connect the community to its unique history. Sharing their personal story is our moral duty. "Remember and do not forget," says one of the documenters. "This is our will," they emphasize. "It is a mission to pass on these stories to the next generation, to keep our eyes open and remember what we have lost."
We thank the documentarians who shared with us memories of their personal history and the talented documentarians who helped breathe life into the history we read about.
Thanks to our partners:
salutation
A project to document the story of Holocaust survivors gives us a unique glimpse into the painful history of individuals in World War II.
The survivors who participated in the project, were children at the time, and in adulthood_ cc781905-5cde-3194-bb3b-136bad5cf58d_ chose to build their lives in the Jezreel Valley.
It is our moral duty to share the documented stories, to remember the inconceivable suffering that World War II brought to the world in general, and to the Jewish community in particular, and to emphasize the appreciation of the heroism and solidarity of the people as individuals.
The products of the project have been combined into the exhibition 'Heroes of World War II', which excites its visitors and it is important that it is also revealed to the younger generation.
I am grateful to all those who do the work: to the dear people who are documented in the project - for sharing their stories with us with courage and humility, in recognition of the importance of documentation for future generations; To the talented documentarians - the writers and photographers from the area - who did a wonderful job; To the staff of the Community and Welfare Division of the Council and to the Jezreel Valley Veterans Association - for leading the project alongside the Autographers team.
They all collaborated to create testimony and leave the mark of the survivors on the history of the people and the place.
Eyal Betzer,
Head of the Jezreel Valley Regional Council