Love in the Shadow of War

The photography exhibition “Love in the Shadow of War”, created for Tu B’Av, presents eight portraits of couples whose love stories blossomed amid the Swords of Iron War. Within a reality of fear, loss, and uncertainty, these couples found rare moments of closeness, connection, and love.

The exhibition is both a direct continuation of the Museum's permanent exhibition, “06:29 – From Darkness to Light” which shares the testimonies of 35 courageous women who survived the horrors of October 7th and also reflects the beginning of love and renewal.

The couples photographed form a mosaic of young and old, IDF soldiers, new immigrants, a formerly religious Jew, injured and widowed. Their stories begin with a chance meeting in the lobby of a retirement home, a late-night conversation in a tank, a cigarette on the battlefield, a harrowing encounter in a safe room in the Gaza envelope with a terrorist. The exhibition features two portraits of each couple: The first captures the pain they experienced, while the second reflects their choice of love.

During the photography sessions, the couples spoke openly and candidly about the blessing of finding love in difficult times. They expressed a sense of mission in sharing their stories and hoped to instill a spirit of inspiration and optimism in all of us. We’re grateful to them for entrusting us with their stories.

Concept creator and curator: Ifat Shomrony
Photographer: Limor Zadok