On September 26, Philadelphia unveiled its first large-scale Holocaust mural, the result of years of planning and creative effort by artist Ella Ponizovsky Bergelson. The event at the Horwitz-Wasserman Holocaust Memorial Plaza on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway took a turn when a pro-Palestinian protest group unexpectedly appeared, playing Jewish music just as the program was about to begin. However, this disruption did not overshadow the significance of the mural’s unveiling.
Artist Ella Ponizovsky Bergelson emphasized the ability to coexist amid differing perspectives, particularly concerning a subject as sensitive as the Holocaust. “In my speech, I was talking about facing complexity and many perspectives trying to coexist, and this was an example of it,” she remarked after the conclusion of the program. Bergelson highlighted that all attendees shared a common goal: to foster a more peaceful world.
The mural, titled “Lay-Lah Lay-Lah” (“Night Night”), stretches 2,000 square feet and incorporates the words of Philadelphians in 20 different languages. Bergelson reflected on her creative journey, stating, “I wanted to tap into the experience of those who had settled here. Many of them were shaped by the Holocaust and built their home here. This mural was created by your voices.”
She reached out to local residents for their memories, stories, poems, and prayers, emphasizing the communal aspect of the mural. Bergelson, who was born in Israel to parents who fled Russia and now resides in Germany, sought to illuminate the complex narratives surrounding the Holocaust. “The Holocaust has always been a complex topic. Never more so than now,” she noted.
From a competitive pool of 54 applicants, Bergelson was selected to create this transformative piece. Jane Golden, executive director of Mural Arts Philadelphia, praised her vision and creativity, stating, “To bring art to life takes an artist willing to shoulder the responsibility with vision, courage, and creativity. When a mural comes alive, which this one does, it is more than paint on a wall.”
Golden continued, expressing the impactful nature of murals: “They stand in our streets. They speak to us lyrically. They proclaim our resilience, our dreams, our fears, and our longing for a better world.”
Though unable to attend, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro sent a letter to the event expressing his thoughts on the mural’s significance. “William Penn founded our Commonwealth on principles of fairness, tolerance, and understanding when faced with discrimination and adversity,” the letter read. He noted that the Jewish community has exemplified these principles and resilience, making the mural’s unveiling a fitting addition to the city.
Several dignitaries were present at the event, including Pennsylvania Reps. Ben Waxman and Jared Solomon, Pennsylvania Sen. Nikil Saval, and Philadelphia Parks and Recreation Commissioner Susan Slawson. Despite the distractions caused by protesters who held signs reading, “There is a Shoah in Gaza” and sang improvised lyrics from “The Fiddler on the Roof,” the event concluded on a positive note.
Golden took a moment at the end of the program to reflect on the overall experience, saying, “I think this went beautifully, more than I could’ve imagined. The victory feels sweeter with all the obstacles we had to overcome. I always say public art is not for the faint of heart. Every step of the way, things were done with passion, integrity, and love. I could not be prouder.”
The unveiling of the Holocaust mural symbolizes a collective effort to remember a tragic part of history while embracing a spirit of inclusivity in a diverse community.
image source from：jewishexponent
