In the aftermath of tragedy, art can serve as a powerful medium for healing and remembrance. For Yechiel Ofner, a 50-year-old Hasidic artist from Kfar Chabad, this truth became startlingly clear on a somber day in a kibbutz near Gaza.
Ofner’s journey to that moment began far from the conflict zone, in the ultra-Orthodox enclave of Bnei Brak. From an early age, he was drawn to the world of art, finding inspiration in the rich traditions of Jewish life and Hasidic culture.
“For decades, I’ve been painting scenes from the old Jewish shtetl and contemporary Hasidic life,” Ofner explains, his eyes lighting up as he speaks about his art. But Ofner’s talents extend far beyond the canvas. In his day job, he serves as a special education teacher and is studying psychodrama therapy. However, it’s Ofner’s role in the IDF’s Casualty Identification Unit that would bring him face-to-face with the harsh realities of conflict. For over twenty years, he has served in this capacity, a role that requires both emotional strength and a keen eye for detail.
On Simchat Torah, a day usually filled with joy and celebration, Ofner’s world was turned upside down. “I was staying with my family in Ashkelon,” he recalls, his voice growing somber. “In the early morning hours, we heard sirens. The shelter door suddenly burst open after two missiles hit the building where we were staying. The entire building shook, and the floor above was severely damaged.”
Soon after this harrowing experience, Ofner was called to duty. He headed to the area he was summoned to, unaware of the full extent of the unfolding tragedy. “I couldn’t have imagined the magnitude of the event,” he says, shaking his head.
Days of grueling work followed, as Ofner and his colleagues worked tirelessly to bring closure to families affected by the attacks. It was during this time that Ofner found himself in the Zack family home in Kibbutz Kisufim, a site of unimaginable tragedy where parents and a child had been massacred.
Surrounded by the evidence of violence and loss, Ofner felt compelled to act. “Amidst the smells and thoughts,” he remembers, his voice barely above a whisper, “I suddenly started drawing with my ten fingers on the sooty wall.”
The image that emerged was simple yet powerful: two soldiers protecting a child. “Although this drawing didn’t come true, and sadly the soldiers didn’t manage to save the victims, it was something that burst out of me in those moments,” Ofner explains.
This spontaneous act of artistry would soon take on a life of its own. Days later, when Tomer Zack, the daughter of the murdered couple, visited her parents’ home, she discovered Ofner’s drawing. Moved by this unexpected artwork, she sought out the artist behind it.
“They decided to preserve the drawing and display it for future generations,” Ofner says, still surprised by the turn of events. The Israel Museum and Yad Ben-Zvi Institute recognized the significance of Ofner’s impromptu artwork, bringing in experts to advise on preservation techniques. Just before the house was demolished, the wall bearing Ofner’s drawing was carefully removed and transferred for preservation.
The Zack family invited Ofner to witness the wall’s removal, leading to a touching moment of connection. “A family member, a senior officer, said to me: ‘You’re wearing a kippah and beard, and I’m not religious. Look at the beauty of the people of Israel.’ He hugged me and was very moved by the encounter. It was important to him that we keep in touch,” Ofner recounts.
For Ofner, this experience has reinforced his belief in the power of art to heal and unite. “It taught me the amazing power of one small action,” he reflects. “It can be a deed or a kind word. One can never know what worlds can change as a result of one good action.”
This wasn’t the first time Ofner had seen the power of art to bridge divides. He shares another meaningful experience: “Not long ago, I participated in the 96th birthday of the renowned Israeli artist Yaacov Agam. I painted him, trying to imitate his unique creative style. As I entered the event, I told him I had a surprise for him. He was so moved that he decided on the spot to paint on my white shirt in front of everyone, and at the end, he signed his name.”
As he looks to the future, Ofner sees his role as an artist taking on new meaning. “Especially at this time, every good action we take in loving our fellow Jews and in Jewish unity is of immeasurable importance,” he says, his voice filled with conviction.
Through his art, whether on canvas, a soot-stained wall, or even a white shirt, Yechiel Ofner continues to bridge worlds – between past and present, between tragedy and hope, between individuals and community. His story serves as a powerful reminder of the role that art can play in times of crisis, offering solace, unity, and a path towards healing.