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A new audiovisual installation was inaugurated at Yad Vashem’s Valley of the Communities, offering an immersive glimpse into the lives of thousands of Jewish communities that once thrived across Europe and North Africa before being decimated during the Holocaust.
The installation, a joint initiative between Yad Vashem and the European Union, projects light, sound and animation onto the valley’s natural rock walls, telling the story of more than 5,000 communities that existed for centuries and were nearly erased. Many were destroyed during World War II, while others fought to survive or left behind enduring legacies that the Nazis sought to obliterate.
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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.
“Only by understanding the vibrant Jewish life that existed before the Holocaust can we grasp the magnitude of the tragic loss,” said Yad Vashem Chairman Dani Dayan. “This initiative not only honors the memory of the victims and their communities but also helps combat antisemitism and pass on Jewish heritage to future generations. We are grateful to the European Union for its commitment to Holocaust remembrance.”
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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.”