Special to the Reporter

Mercer Island’s Stroum Jewish Community Center (SJCC) and the Jewish Family Service of Seattle (JFS) are presenting an exhibit that features the powerful stories and heartfelt expressions of Israeli children responding to the events of Oct. 7, 2023, through their art.

This moving Oct. 7 Art Showcase by Israeli Children is on display at the SJCC (3801 E. Mercer Way) now through Nov. 24. Visitors are welcome to view the complete exhibit from noon to 4 p.m. on Nov. 24, with a partial exhibit available during regular business hours in the SJCC’s J Café leading up to that date.

“Our goal is to provide a safe and supportive space for the Jewish and broader community to witness and reflect on the impacts of Oct. 7,” said SJCC Director of Arts and Ideas Pamela Lavitt. “Over the past year, we have seen the local and global Jewish community, along with our allies, unite like never before. We hope this art showcase will offer a space to honor our losses while strengthening our resilience and hope for the future.”

To help them process and cope with their trauma, teachers, parents and art therapists offered Israeli children ages 6 through 15 the expressive tool of art. The curated artwork comes from across Israel — from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, Ashkelon in the south to the evacuated the Galilee in the north and affected kibbutzim such as Kfar Aza.

Some paintings are part of the “Israel Hayafa (Beautiful Israel)” project, featuring works created by middle school students in the Southern District in Israel. In her artist description for her painting, 14-year-old Naama shares: “I chose to paint a bird that returned from the battle field with an olive branch…The last period has not been easy, but we will always find the way out with pride and bravery.”

In addition to paintings by children, the exhibit includes two works by Los Angeles-based Israeli artist Tomer Peretz. The hopeful “Just Kids” is a collaborative artwork by young survivors from the Oct. 7 attacks living near the Gaza Envelope. Peretz’s large-scale “Before, During, Future” is another collaborative artwork by Oct. 7 survivors, and has been permanently installed in the SJCC lobby.

The event is free and appropriate for ages 8 and older. For SJCC business hours and more information, visit: https://sjcc.org/

Part of the display of the Oct. 7 Art Showcase by Israeli Children. Photo courtesy of the Stroum Jewish Community Center and Jewish Family Service of Seattle