By Stephen Silver
On Oct. 6, the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History began commemorating the first anniversary of the Oct. 7 attacks by opening its weeklong hosting of “The Moment the Music Stood Still: The Nova Music Festival Exhibition.”
That was followed by a screening of the Oct. 7 documentary “We Will Dance Again” and the “365 Days of Hope” commemoration, which the Weitzman cohosted with several other institutions.
The exhibition consisted of burned cars, portable bathroom stalls that were fired upon, other Oct. 7 artifacts and video testimonials from survivors. A larger version of the Nova exhibition had earlier appeared in Tel Aviv, New York and Los Angeles. It arrived at the Weitzman through the efforts of Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro.
“This exhibition in Philadelphia actually came together rather quickly, thanks to the partnership of Gov. Shapiro and the founders and creators of the exhibition,” said Emily August, the museum’s chief public engagement officer. “There was an opportunity, a window, an opening to have a smaller version of it be available here in Philadelphia for Oct. 7, and we are so grateful and honored that we can host it and make it available to the public at this time.”
“The governor reached out and said, ‘I think we have an opportunity to bring this exhibition to Philadelphia,’ might we collaborate on having it at the Weitzman?’ And we were honored that he thought of us as the home, to share with the broad public the true stories of what happened on Oct. 7.”
The exhibition was set up on the fifth floor of the Weitzman Museum, except for the cars, which were located outside.
Gov. Shapiro, Sen. Bob Casey, Lt. Gov. Austin Davis and other public officials visited the exhibition on the morning of Oct. 7.
The exhibition was created by the music festival’s producers, who survived the attack. Reut Feingold is the exhibition’s creative director.
“They wanted to memorialize that day, and pay tribute to and honor the victims and survivors, and also help the survivors and their families process their trauma, and move towards a place of healing,” August said.
The free exhibition remained at the Weitzman through Oct. 13.
“American Jews experienced the October 7th massacre in deeply personal ways, cementing the horrific day in our shared experience,” Dr. Misha Galperin, outgoing president and CEO of the Weitzman, said in the announcement of the exhibition. “While this history is still unfolding, it’s clear American Jewish lives were changed that day. As a place of truth and learning, we must share these stories.”
Also on Oct. 6, the Weitzman’s downstairs theater was sold out for its showing of “We Will Dance Again,” even though the film is available to stream on Paramount+ and was scheduled at the same time as a Phillies playoff game.
The film, directed by Yariv Mozer, features footage and testimony from survivors of the Nova music festival attack. It was presented in collaboration with the Israeli Film Festival of Philadelphia, Kaiserman JCC and Philadelphia Jewish Film and Media, and it inspired many tears and hugs among those who viewed it.
The “365 Days of Hope” rally and commemoration were held the night of Oct. 6 on the lawn between the Weitzman and the National Constitution Center. Possibly because the location was only given to those who had signed up, no protesters showed up at the event.
The commemoration, hosted by entertainer and influencer Zach Sage Fox, a Philadelphia native, featured speeches by relatives of several hostages, songs by the Jewish chorale of Greater Philadelphia Nashirah and prayers by several local Jewish clergy.
A video message was shared from Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA).
“We have been a consistent voice for Israel in demanding that all of those people are brought back home,” Fetterman said from his office in Washington, D.C. “To be a consistent moral voice for Israel throughout all of this, until everyone is back home, and until there is peace, I promise you that this voice and my office [will] stand firmly on the side of Israel.”
Those in attendance held up Israeli flags and pictures of surviving hostages. In addition to the Weitzman, the event was hosted by the Anti-Defamation League, American Jewish Committee, American Jewish Medical Association, Congregation Beth Zion-Beth Israel, Hope for Israel Alliance, Israeli American Council, the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, Center City Kehillah, Kaiserman JCC, Mekor HaBracha, Merkaz, Congregation Mikveh Israel, Congregation Rodeph Shalom, Society Hill Synagogue and StandWithUs.
Stephen Silver is a Broomall-based freelance writer.
