The new Yad Vashem exhibit
(Video: Yad Vashem)
Located on the western edge of Yad Vashem in Jerusalem, the Valley of the Communities spans approximately 10 dunams (2.5 acres) and features 107 stone walls engraved with the names of Jewish communities affected by the Holocaust. The exhibit aims to highlight the rich spiritual, cultural and social life of Jewish communities from the time of the Second Temple’s destruction through the diaspora and up to the Holocaust.
Funded by a €10 million contribution from the European Union, the display includes testimonies from Holocaust survivors who belonged to the commemorated communities. It serves not only as a tribute to those lost but also as a tool for education and remembrance.
Following the presentation, visitors are invited to walk through the valley independently or with a guide. A new educational center also is under construction on site. It will host programming focused on Jewish life and the diaspora and will promote interactive learning, discussion and creative engagement as a complement to the audiovisual exhibit.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also praised the project. “The Valley of the Communities is a testament to the resilience of the Jewish people and the rich fabric of communities that once flourished across Europe and North Africa,” she said.
“By supporting this project, the European Union ensures that future generations can learn about the devastating loss of more than 5,000 Jewish communities. Together with Israel, the EU remains committed to remembrance, education and the fight against antisemitism in all its forms.”
