The Museum of Tolerance Jerusalem stands as a testament to the enduring human spirit, its pristine white façade resembling a dove taking flight against the backdrop of the city. More than just a museum, it has rapidly become a vital cultural center, hosting impactful exhibitions and public events that grapple with both the darkest and brightest aspects of Israeli society. Recent weeks have highlighted this role, particularly through the powerful 6:29 – From Darkness to Light exhibit and the upcoming Remembrance Day Memorial Ceremony.
6:29 – From Darkness to Light: An Immersive Journey Through Trauma and Resilience
The 6:29 – From Darkness to Light exhibit, meticulously crafted by media producer Malki Shem Tov, serves as a poignant and deeply moving exploration of the Hamas massacre that occurred at the Supernova music festival on October 7th, 2023. The exhibit's title, "6:29," refers to the precise time the attacks began, a chilling reminder of the sudden onset of violence. For Malki Shem Tov, the project held profound personal significance. His son, Omer, was abducted during the attack and held captive for 505 days before his release on February 22nd, 2024. The experience profoundly shaped his approach to the exhibit's creation.
The creation of this exhibit wasn't a straightforward process. Initially, Shem Tov was slated to work on a project focusing on tolerance. However, following his son's abduction, the museum shifted his focus to documenting the October 7th attack. He began work in December 2023, while Omer was still held captive in Gaza. This added a layer of immense emotional weight to the undertaking. Shem Tov himself reflects on this period: "Working with museums and exhibits is my usual work, so in that sense, it felt normal. But it also helped the family cope with the stress, pain, and frustration. We were doing something, which helped a great deal."
The exhibit itself masterfully utilizes cutting-edge technology to immerse visitors in the events of October 7th. While the attacks were extensively covered by mainstream media, 6:29 transcends passive viewing. Shem Tov explains, "The experience takes on much greater depth and significance than it did via television screens." This immersive quality is achieved through several key elements:
Powerful Video Testimonies: The core of the exhibit consists of 34 full-screen, life-size video testimonies from women who experienced the tragedy firsthand. These include survivors, military personnel (tank commanders, pilots), relatives of victims, and others from diverse backgrounds – Jewish, Christian, and Muslim women share their experiences, highlighting the broad impact of the attacks.
Interactive Elements: Visitors navigate through spaces designed to evoke the reality of the attack. They pass through concrete shelters, similar to the migunit (portable bomb shelters) used by victims, examine interactive maps detailing the destruction, and view a vast collection of photographs with accompanying QR codes providing additional information. This multi-sensory approach ensures a deep and lasting impact on the visitor.
Structure and Narrative: The exhibit is carefully structured in four sections. The first two sections powerfully depict the darkness of October 7th, while the latter two sections emphasize the subsequent national unity and resilience displayed by the Israeli people. This powerful juxtaposition underscores the themes of trauma and healing.
Post-it Note Wall: At the conclusion of the exhibit, visitors are invited to write messages on post-it notes and leave them on a wall. These messages are addressed to the women whose testimonies they have just witnessed, fostering a connection between viewers and the shared experiences recounted within the exhibit.
Ongoing Development: The exhibit's design is dynamic, allowing for updates and modifications. Shem Tov notes that further sections will be added upon the release of all remaining hostages, focusing on resilience, the return to daily life, and lessons learned from the October 7th events.
The impact of 6:29 – From Darkness to Light has been profound. Over 50,000 visitors have experienced the exhibit, including prominent social media influencers (Nate Buzolic, Montana Tucker) and leading politicians (Senator Lindsey Graham). The exhibit's success stems from its ability to transform viewers from passive observers into active participants in a deeply moving and thought-provoking historical narrative. Shem Tov emphasizes the museum's appropriateness for this exhibit, stating, "October 7th symbolizes the dangers of disunity we experienced on October 6th. This exhibit expresses the thought that we must remain united and recognize the other side, even if we don't agree with their ideas. This is the essence of tolerance."
The Remembrance Day Memorial Ceremony: Honoring Sacrifice and Fostering Coexistence
The Museum of Tolerance Jerusalem’s role extends beyond exhibitions. It also serves as a critical venue for remembrance and fostering dialogue within Israeli society. This is clearly demonstrated by the upcoming Remembrance Day Memorial Ceremony, a joint initiative with the IDF Widows and Orphans Organization. Jonathan Riss, the museum's operations manager, highlights the event's significance: "This event embodies mutual responsibility and collective thanks. Many lone soldiers will be speaking, and their families will be attending. Seeing the gratitude we provide to these young people who chose to fight for Israel, many without immediate family, is crucial for coexistence and mutual responsibility in Israel, especially in our currently polarized society."
The ceremony is designed to be a powerful and emotionally resonant event, focusing on several key elements:
Lone Soldiers: The event will prominently feature the stories of lone soldiers – young men and women who made Aliyah and serve in the IDF without immediate family support. Their narratives underscore the dedication and sacrifice of these individuals.
Pregnant Widows: The ceremony will include tributes to three pregnant widows who, tragically, found themselves alone after the loss of their husbands, facing the future of their families without their partners. These powerful stories will evoke both empathy and admiration for their strength.
Keynote Speakers: The event will feature highly respected figures, including Larry A. Mizel (chairman of the museum), Rabbi Marvin Hier (co-chairman and founder of the Simon Wiesenthal Center), and Yossi Cohen (former head of the Mossad). Their presence adds gravitas and lends credibility to the event's mission.
Additional Testimonies: The program includes panels featuring Dafna Russo (widow of Uri Russo, a member of the emergency response team at Kfar Aza) and Sigal Steiner-Mantzouri (who lost two daughters in the Supernova attack). Their firsthand accounts will provide critical insights into the lasting impact of the October 7th tragedy.
Film Screening: A film about Yitav Lev Halevi, a border police officer who died in May 2024 after being critically wounded during an operation in Tulkarm, will be screened. This film further underlines the sacrifices made by security personnel during the conflict.
Riss emphasizes the Museum of Tolerance's core values as integral to the Remembrance Day event: "Mutual responsibility, giving thanks, conducting dialogue, and handling polarization are at the heart of our mission. It's not just lectures, but demonstrating the impact of living in this context and how people cope together. In the 6:29 exhibit, the most important part is not just the memory, but the light – seeing how Israelis, Jews, Arabs, Christians, and Muslims, and Jews from around the world helped each other, coping and supporting each other through these atrocities. October 7th is a story of courage, of mutual responsibility, and of hope. The exhibit shows the good that people do, regardless of their background."
The Vision of the Museum of Tolerance Jerusalem: A Bridge to Understanding
The Museum of Tolerance Jerusalem's overarching vision is to create a common ground for dialogue and foster positive change within Israeli society. This vision is not limited to specific events but is woven into the museum's fabric, guiding its programming and future development.
The museum employs a multifaceted approach to achieve its goals:
Film Screenings: The museum regularly hosts film screenings to facilitate discussions on relevant themes.
Educational Programs: The museum conducts educational programs aimed at fostering civic discourse and leadership skills among young people.
Permanent Exhibits: A permanent section of the museum is under construction. This will include "The People's Journey" and "The Social Lab," an immersive experience utilizing AI and virtual reality technology. Visitors will embark on a journey toward tolerance, engaging with figures like Maimonides in virtual meetings, participating in digital debates, and even experiencing a virtual Sanhedrin.
The museum's architectural design itself reflects its mission. The monumental crisscrossed staircase symbolizes the engagement, mutual listening, and immersion in diverse perspectives necessary for achieving true tolerance and understanding. Stairs are not merely functional but become a metaphorical bridge connecting individuals and fostering communication.
The Museum of Tolerance Jerusalem is not simply a repository of history; it is a dynamic hub for dialogue, reflection, and remembrance. Through its exhibitions, events, and future initiatives, it strives to create a space for understanding, reconciliation, and the cultivation of a more tolerant and cohesive Israeli society. The museum's commitment to showcasing both the darkness and the light within its narratives makes it a truly unique and essential institution in the complex cultural landscape of Jerusalem.