“This is the first major exhibit that honors the horrific crimes of Oct. 7 and the great unity that came forward after it,” told Larry Mizel, Museum Chairman of the Board. “As our enemies are gathering strength, and truth is under attack, the events of Oct. 7 are already being doubted.” The exhibit, he added, can “push back against ignorance and can win the hearts of the misinformed.”

The exhibit is told from the perspective of the women of Israel – survivors of the attack, rescue workers, and mothers of hostages and fallen soldiers – taking visitors through the tragedy what happened on that day. As the exhibit progresses, the stories of heroism and valor emerge, showing that even in the darkest of moments, the Jewish people – in Israel and abroad – band together to drive the future forward.

President Herzog, who toured the exhibit with Mayor Lion prior to addressing the audience, said “even as the sun continues to rise daily, we still see the darkness… [but] this exhibit brings everything to the front, allowing to build from that darkness, while always remembering.”

The president invited people around the world to see the exhibit, and thanked MOTJ, saying “The Museum of Tolerance Jerusalem allows you to see the darkness, but also the light that lets us move forward to together.”

The event was also addressed by Shelly Shem Tov, the mother of hostage Omer Shem Tov who remains in Hamas captivity. Holding back tears, she said “When I filmed the video [for the exhibit] two months ago, I thought I would be with Omer for the opening.” Instead, she said, “We are still 215 days in this nightmare. 215 days that I wake up and see the sun and think of Omer who hasn’t seen sun this whole time.”

Standing strong, Shelly also invited the world to share in the stories of the brave women of Israel, told and untold, so “We can exit again from darkness to light.”

Museum board member Sylvan Adams received a standing ovation during his speech, in which he said the women of the exhibit “are the backbone of our people.” Adams pointed out the failure of Hamas “in uniting us” because of their evil. “In the face of ugly antisemitism, Jewish pride is back,” he said.

Hitting at the future, he said “Our Temple of Tolerance in the most important Jewish city in the world… is just getting started!”

Following the ceremony, which concluded with a moving presentation of the Adele song “Skyfall” by three of the high school students who are also Ukrainian refugees, the Museum invited its donors and employees to take part in the completion of a Torah scroll in the Sephardic tradition. The Torah scroll is to be introduced during a ceremony on Independence Day.