Solidarity with the family of Chana Orloff

On November 19, the mahJ will inaugurate an exhibition devoted to "Didi", a sculpture by Chana Orloff (1888-1968), recently returned to her grandchildren Ariane Tamir and Eric Justman. Entitled "L'enfant Didi, itinéraire d'une œuvre spoliée de Chana Orloff, 1921-2023" ("The child Didi, itinerary of a looted work by Chana Orloff, 1921-2023"), this presentation will look at the tragic fate of the collection in the artist's studio at Villa Seurat in Paris, which was completely looted on 4 March 1943. When the artist returned to France in 1945, some 140 sculptures were lost. The rest of his life and the reception of his work were severely affected. This exhibition was intended to celebrate Didi's return after a 15 year ordeal, and to serve as a reminder of the artist's importance in the history of twentieth-century art.

However, current events have had a painful impact on this project. On 7 October, three members of Chana Orloff's family - Avshalom Haran, Evyatar and Lilach Lea Kipnis - living on Kibbutz Be'eri in southern Israel, were killed by Hamas terrorists. Seven other members of the family, including three children, are being held hostage.

The mahJ expresses its profound solidarity with all the families of victims and hostages held by Hamas, sends its condolences to the family of Chana Orloff and joins them in their efforts to secure the release of Shoshan Haran (67); Adi, her daughter (38); Tal Shoham, her son-in-law (38); Naveh (8) and Yahel Neri (3), her grandchildren; Sharon 52) and Noam Avigdori (12), her sister-in-law and her niece.

To support medical emergencies in Israel, you can donate to Magen David Adom.

All the hostages on the Haaretz website.