On January 27, International Holocaust Remembrance Day, a powerful moment unfolded at the sold-out Ed Snider Auditorium at the Museum of Tolerance Jerusalem. Chava Nissimov, who spent her childhood in the Warsaw Ghetto, turned to Achiya Malul, a young man who survived the October 7 attacks, and asked if she could hug him. When he nodded, they embraced—a quiet, human gesture that set the tone for an evening of reflection, dialogue, and hope.
The event was held in collaboration with the Pink Glasses Non-Profit and its “Point of View” project, which works to improve the quality of life for Holocaust survivors in Israel by providing accessible, high-quality medical care, personalized assistance, and support. The organization ensures that survivors throughout Israel can receive quick, focused, and dedicated healthcare.
Moderated by journalist Hila Korach, the evening wove together voices from different generations to explore the link between past and present and to reflect on the human capacity to choose life and nurture hope after trauma. Live music punctuated the program, with performances by Alon Ahel, abducted during the October 7 attacks and a fourth-generation descendant of Holocaust survivors, alongside singer-songwriter Shlomi Shaban, a third-generation descendant.
The heart of the evening lay in intimate, intergenerational conversations. Nissimov shared her experiences from the Holocaust with Malul, while Auschwitz survivor Tommy Shecham spoke with Avital Schindler, whose otherwise peaceful town of Kerem Shalom was devastated on October 7. These dialogues offered a space to reflect on memory, trauma, and resilience, demonstrating how the weight of personal suffering can be transformed into shared strength and hope.
“The evening was designed to create a human, intergenerational conversation about trauma, memory, meaning, and the forces of life,” said Jonathan “Yoni” Riss, Managing Director of the Museum of Tolerance Jerusalem. “It reminded us that the stories we carry—whether from decades ago or just yesterday—have the power not only to testify to suffering, but also to inspire hope in the present.”
All proceeds from the evening will go toward initiatives supporting Holocaust survivors and those affected by the Holocaust.
