October 7th was more than a day; it became a moment that reshaped what it means to be Jewish in our time.
HaAliyah is a new body of work by Avraham Vofsi that delves into the sacrifices and resilience of Jewish life in the face of immense challenges. Rooted in the dual meaning of Aliyah—ascent and cost—the series explores what it means to rise during a time of collective upheaval.
"I don’t know how I feel yet, but I know the only thing I can do is keep painting. I need to paint the images and stories until I find something beautiful in them."
–Avraham Vofsi
Drawing from his own experiences as an oleh chadash as well as the stories of other Israelis and Diaspora Jews, Vofsi offers a deeply personal yet universal perspective. In grappling with how to represent this moment, Vofsi chose to reject both false optimism and the unbearable weight of horror. Instead, his work explores the cost of survival—not just in sacrifice, but in the emotional and spiritual toll it takes on a people forced to rise.
The paintings in HaAliyah were created during months of travel across Israel, as Vofsi sought out scenes that spoke to the complexities of the moment. From the stark emptiness of a kibbutz field to the quiet resolve in the faces of volunteers, each image reflects his process of witnessing, feeling, and transforming experience into art.
Bring Them Home Dog-tag with Yellow Ribbon
Erez Eshel
Kerem Shalom, after Christina's world
Car Yard at Kibbutz Tkuma
Maggie May Moshe
Kikar Dizengoff at Sunset
Ari Dayan
Unit 106 near the Syrian Border
Through this work, Vofsi seeks to process the unthinkable by creating art that feels truthful to the moment. His paintings aim to capture the complexity of living through trauma, offering a space for reflection, connection, and perhaps, a glimmer of grace. HaAliyah is not an answer to the questions raised by October 7th, but it is a step toward understanding. It reflects the idea that after this moment, the distinction between Israel and the Diaspora has blurred—our shared history, collective pain, and enduring peoplehood now unite us more than ever.
Limited edition prints
Limited Edition Prints
Limited edition prints Limited Edition Prints
Signed, numbered limited edition prints from HaAliyah showcase Jewish resilience and unity. Printed on archival paper, available in multiple sizes, starting at $36.
We are looking for more communities to visit.
Please reach out to avi@avrahamvofsi.com if you have a community or organisation that would like to have the artwork featured for an evening.