New NJ art exhibit from Israel honors young women who fought Hamas

“Heroines of October 7” opened on May 17.

The artwork at the newly opened Paramus exhibition is haunting: A painting depicts three figures running as bombs explode around them. Another shows an anguished face and pair of hands pushing something or someone away against a backdrop of fire and blood.

Then there are the portraits of the young women. They were soldiers, police officers and civilians who bravely stood up to terrorists on Israel’s deadliest day, when Hamas stormed the country’s borders on Oct. 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 more hostage.

It is all part of “Heroines of October 7,” an art exhibition that pays tribute to women who acted with bravery to defend their communities even as they were outgunned and outnumbered.

There are paintings and statues made with embroidery, metal and wood. Among them is a piece portraying six of the kidnapped women. Another is a life-size sculpture of a female soldier holding flowers. The exhibit runs through May 29 at the Paramus headquarters of Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey. The exhibit is open to the public, but reservations must be made in advance.

While other traveling exhibitions reflect on that day and memorialize the victims, this is the sole homage to women who helped save their colleagues and communities, said organizers.

This exhibit was the brainchild of curator and historian Yael Nitzan, who is also the founder of a museum in Haifa devoted to Israeli women, which will open next year. Nitzan said she wanted to create a space where the women who did extraordinary deeds that day could be honored.

“It’s very special to have them altogether in one exhibit,” she said. “I want everyone to know about them. It’s very inspiring.”

The Paramus event marks the American debut of this exhibit, which has been showcased in several Israeli cities. The installation highlights 50 women, “but we are hearing about new stories every day and we’re adding to it all the time,” Nitzan said.

Many of the visitors who came from around North Jersey to browse the installation at its May 17 opening were clearly moved.

“What strikes me is the age of these girls,” Laurie Bader of Englewood said as she examined the stories of the young women that accompanied their portraits. “A lot of them were just kids … it’s heartbreaking to learn about what they went through, sacrificing their lives in such a tragic way. They fought heroically to protect others.”

Nina Kampler of Teaneck stopped short when she reached a rocket that had been colorfully painted with the image of a young woman. “This is strikingly different than the other pieces,” she said. “It makes it all very real and makes you realize you aren’t just seeing pictures, but people who were killed. It contextualizes everything. This was a real rocket and a brutal attack designed to kill.”

The exhibit came about after Jason Shames, CEO of Jewish Federation, saw it in Nahariya, the federation’s sister city in northern Israel, and was so moved he opted to bring it to New Jersey.

“It’s a powerful tribute to the extraordinary courage of women” who “stood on the front lines of danger — protecting others, safeguarding Israel and, in many cases, making the ultimate sacrifice,” he said.

Zehava Ben Simon flew in from Israel to speak to the crowd about her daughter, Adar Ben Simon, whose image was included in the exhibit. Adar was a 20-year-old platoon leader who ordered her trainees on the base to seek shelter while she ran to the front lines to fight the invaders. She was ultimately killed by the terrorists, but she succeeded in saving the lives of 120 young people.

Her story is more than a war story, Ben Simon said. “It’s a story of her love for her people,” she said.

Eyal Eshel, the father of Sgt. Roni Eshel, who was also featured in the exhibit, spoke to the crowd as well. Roni, 19, was a surveillance observer on duty in the operations room in southern Israel when the attack began, he said.

She was among the first observers to “identify the terrorists crossing into Israel” that morning. “She warned everyone” he said. “She shouted. She tried to save lives until the very last moment. She remained at her post for hours that day, providing data to help direct forces.”

Roni was burned alive by Hamas inside the command room, along with 16 other girls, her father said.

“These young women were not political, they were not famous leaders, they were daughter, sisters, friends, young women with dreams, plans and a future that should have been waiting for them. Yet in their final moments they showed unimaginable courage,” Eyal Eshel said.

The exhibition is not only about tragedy, he said. “It’s about heroism. It’s about memory. It is about our responsibility in Israel, in America and everywhere to make sure these voices are never forgotten.”