“When Adar arrives, we increase our joy” (Ta’anit 29a)

As Israel and Jewish communities around the world celebrate, may this holiday bring strength, hope, and joy to Israel and to all who stand with it.

The Farkash Gallery wishes you a happy and joyful Purim!

El Al Israel Airlines – A Symbol of the Birth and Growth of the State of Israel

“Bring back My sons from afar and My daughters from the ends of the earth.” (Isaiah 43:6)

El Al was founded in 1948, alongside the State of Israel, when the Israeli government sought to bring President Chaim Weizmann and his wife, Vera, home from Switzerland in a dignified manner. They selected a C-54 aircraft from the Israeli Air Force, naming it El Al, inspired by the biblical phrase meaning “to the skies.” Thus, Israel’s national airline was born.

From its inception, El Al embarked on a journey to become one of the world’s most advanced and efficient airlines. It has come to represent the spirit of Israeli and Jewish people, their resilience, ambition, and pioneering, soaring to new heights despite all the challenges along the way.

Since 1949, El Al pilots and crew have participated and carried out legendary rescue missions. These include: Operation On Wings of Eagles (1949): Transporting Yemenite Jews to Israel. Operation Ezra and Nehemiah (1951–1952): Airlifting Iraqi Jews to safety. Operation Solomon (1991): Rescuing thousands of Ethiopian Jews.

During these missions, El Al became a symbol of hope and freedom. It facilitated the historic airlift of nearly 47,000 Yemenite Jews and 3,000 Habbanim Jews from the Arabian Peninsula and provided a new beginning for 120,000 Iraqi immigrants.

El Al is not only a bridge connecting the young State of Israel to the world and the Jewish Diaspora, but also an expression of national identity and pride. The Israeli flag emblazoned on its aircraft tails became a familiar sight in destinations across the globe, reinforcing Israel’s presence on the world stage. More than just an airline, El Al embodies Israel’s sovereignty, security, and enduring Zionist ethos.

The history of El Al is deeply intertwined with the history of Israel. As the nation grew, so did its airline, sharing in moments of triumph and expansion while also standing by during times of sorrow and adversity. Throughout its existence, El Al has remained steadfast in answering the call of the nation, serving as a powerful symbol of Israel’s journey and unwavering spirit.

On February 20 and 22, 2025, the bodies of Ariel and Kfir were returned to Israel. Forensic examinations indicated that the two children were brutally murdered by their captors in November 2023 and were not killed in an airstrike, as Hamas had claimed. IDF Spokesperson Brigadier General Daniel Hagari stated that the terrorists killed the children by hand rather than by gunfire and then attempted to cover up their actions to blame Israel. Shiri’s body was returned to Israel on February 22, 2025, after Hamas initially provided a different body. Only after significant Israeli pressure was her real body returned.

The tragedy of the Bibas family shocked both the Israeli and international public, leading to widespread calls for the release of the hostages and the fight against terrorism.

On October 7, 2023, during the terrorist attack on Kibbutz Nir Oz, Shiri Bibas and her two children, Ariel (4) and Kfir (9 months), were kidnapped from their home by Palestinian terrorists. Kfir was the youngest of the hostages taken from Israel to the Gaza Strip during the attack. The father, Yarden Bibas, was kidnapped separately on the same day. Shiri’s parents, Yossi and Margit Silverman were murdered in the attack, and their bodies were identified two weeks later.

The abduction of the Bibas family on October 7, 2023, and the brutal murder of Shiri Bibas and her two children, Ariel and Kfir, sparked widespread reactions worldwide. U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, after reviewing intelligence shared by Israel, stated: “The Bibas children were murdered by Hamas and were not mistakenly bombed. This is pure evil.” He added that “Hamas is the worst kind of terrorist organization” and emphasized the U.S. commitment to securing the release of all hostages held in Gaza.

Islamic terrorism continues to pose a global threat, with severe consequences worldwide. In recent years, Europe has experienced a series of deadly attacks, such as the terrorist attack in Nice, France, in July 2016, which killed 86 people, and the Manchester bombing in England in May 2017, where 22 people were killed, many of them children and teenagers.

Islamic terrorism is not limited to Europe alone; countries in South Asia, such as India and Pakistan, face ongoing threats from Islamic terrorist organizations, including the expansion of the “Islamic State” (ISIS) in the region. This expansion increases instability and leads to continuous violence.

The consequences of Islamic terrorism include not only the loss of human lives and injuries but also significant economic, social, and political impacts. Countries are forced to tighten security measures, invest substantial resources in counterterrorism efforts, and deal with intercommunal tensions and waves of refugees fleeing terror-stricken areas.

The fight against Islamic terrorism requires international cooperation, intelligence sharing, and strengthening security systems. Additionally, promoting education and tolerance is essential to prevent radicalization and enhance societal resilience against extremist ideologies.

“HaMashkif” (The Observer) newspaper was one of the most important voices of the Revisionist movement during the Yishuv period. Serving as the voice of Ze’ev Jabotinsky it played a significant role in shaping the political and ideological discourse of the time.

This rare Issue of Hamashkif was published right after the Declaration of Israel’s Independence in 1948, announcing  “The State of Israel was established”. On the first page are photographs of Herzl and Jabotinsky and the text of the Declaration of Independence.

HaMashkif (The Observer) was a daily Hebrew newspaper published in Tel Aviv in 1938 and was the central voice for the Revisionist Movement established by Jabotinsky. HaMashkif was the voice of history and the national hope of the people of Israel. Born from a resolute Zionist spirit and a deep belief in the promise of the Land of Israel, HaMashkif emerged in Tel Aviv in 1938 to carry the bold message of establishing a Jewish state within all its historical boundaries.

The paper was the platform that expressed an unwavering belief in the hope for a strong, free, and independent State of Israel. In every issue, through its messages and graphic symbols, the newspaper conveyed the spirit of the national struggle, the perseverance, and the unity that has always been at the core of Zionism.

From the pages of HaMashkif came ideas for the revival of the Hebrew language, the establishment of national institutions, and the building of the state—leading to the creation of a strong State of Israel and transforming us into a free people with a distinct identity and a rich tradition. Every page was a call to action: to remember our past and to build a future on the land of Israel, a state destined to be a home for every Jew who believes in our national vision.

Honoring Tu BiShvat: A Celebration of Zionism and Renewal

Last week, we celebrated Tu BiShvat, the New Year of the Trees—more than just a holiday, but a symbol of our unbreakable bond with the Land of Israel. From the early days of Zionism, Tu BiShvat became a call to action, a day when pioneers, teachers, and schoolchildren planted trees as part of the greater mission of rebuilding our homeland and making the desert bloom.

For generations, Jewish communities in exile longed to return to the land, reciting “Next year in Jerusalem.” With the birth of modern Zionism, Tu BiShvat was transformed from an agricultural marker into a national mission. Organizations like the Jewish National Fund (JNF) led tree-planting efforts alongside new agricultural settlements, turning barren landscapes into thriving communities and proving that the Jewish people were once again shaping their future in Eretz Yisrael.

Even today, Tu BiShvat reminds us of our responsibility to nurture and protect the land of Israel. Every tree planted declares that Am Yisrael is here to stay, growing stronger with each generation.

As we mark this holiday, let us renew our commitment to Israel—not only through words but through action, support, and unwavering dedication to the Jewish homeland. Chag Sameach!

The verse “Do not forget what Amalek did to you” (Deuteronomy 25:17) is an eternal commandment for the Jewish people to remember the evil of their enemies, especially those who seek to destroy them. Throughout history, Amalek—the symbol of hatred toward Israel—has taken different forms but has always acted with cruelty against the Jewish people, attacking them in moments of weakness and attempting to erase their existence. Even today, the enemies of Israel continue in Amalek’s path, repeatedly trying to annihilate the Jewish people in various ways.

The Holocaust: An Attempt to Annihilate the Jewish People and the Struggle for Survival

The Holocaust was the most extreme attempt to wipe out the Jewish people, carried out by the Nazis, who sought to exterminate every last Jew from the face of the earth. Like Amalek, they attacked the Jewish people with boundless hatred, indiscriminately targeting men, women, children, and the elderly. The survivors who emerged from the concentration camps were left utterly broken—emaciated to the point of being skeletal, their eyes hollow, their bodies and souls scarred by immense suffering. This evil was not random; it stemmed from a murderous ideology that sought to erase the Jewish people.

The Hostages in Gaza – A Chilling Resemblance to Holocaust Survivors

Today, as we see the hostages returning from captivity in Gaza, we cannot ignore the shocking resemblance to Holocaust survivors. Many of them emerged frail, weak, with vacant stares, their bodies and souls bearing the scars of severe abuse. Testimonies from captivity describe conditions of starvation, total isolation, torture, and humiliation—much like what Jews endured during the Holocaust. The enemies who held them captive are no different from Amalek—they acted out of pure hatred for the Jewish people, with the intent to cause pain, humiliation, and destruction.

The Enemies Who Continue Amalek’s Legacy

Throughout history, Amalek has taken on new faces—from the Nazis to modern terrorist organizations—but their goal remains the same: the destruction of the Jewish people. Today, Hamas and other terror groups continue Amalek’s mission, committing massacres, kidnappings, and torture against Jews—not as part of a political struggle, but with a declared goal of annihilating Israel. Just as the Torah commands us to remember Amalek’s actions and fight against them, so too must we act today against those who seek to destroy us, ensuring that the Jewish people are never again at risk of extermination.

The Duty to Remember and Act

The message of “Do not forget” is not just a historical remembrance—it is a moral and political imperative for the Jewish people. Just as we did not forget the Holocaust and worked to establish the State of Israel as a safeguard for our existence, so too must we ensure today that all the hostages are brought home, that the enemies who seek our destruction are defeated, and that we never again allow Jews to become helpless victims of unrestrained evil.

Am Yisrael Chai – We will never forget, and we will never forgive.

Benjamin Ze’ev (Theodor) Herzl—the visionary father of the Jewish State and founder of the World Zionist Organization (1860–1904).

In 1921, just 17 years after Herzl’s untimely passing, the groundbreaking Yiddish documentary film ‘Theodor Herzl, Flagbearer of the Jewish Nation’ was released. First screened in Riga Capital of Latvia in 1921 the movie was extremely influential inside and outside the Jewish communities. The film highlights Herzl’s incredible efforts and contributions to Jewish history. Its screenings were monumental occasions for Jewish communities, inspiring generations of Zionist leaders and believers in the Jewish state. The movie portrays Herzl’s life, struggles, and successes—from his youth marked by anti-Semitic persecution to his emergence as the architect of modern Zionism and, ultimately, the father of Israel.

The movie portrays pivotal moments in Herzl’s life: his coverage of the Dreyfus Affair, the First Zionist Congress in Basel (1897) that he convened, where the Basel Plan was approved to establish a homeland for the Jewish people in the Land of Israel.

Central to the narrative is Herzl’s conviction that political Zionism was the sole solution to anti-Semitism. The film recreates his diplomatic efforts, including meetings with Jewish capitalists and political figures such as the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire and the German Emperor, as he advocated for the Zionist cause.

In his final years, Herzl worked to establish core Zionist institutions, such as the Jewish National Fund and the Jewish Colonial Trust, which would later play crucial roles in creating and developing Israel as we know it today. Ultimately, his struggles took a toll on his health, and Herzl passed away in 1904 in Austria at the young age of 44.

At its core, the movie transcends a mere biographical portrayal. The screenings were monumental occasions for Jewish communities still grappling with the void left by Herzl’s passing. It invited audiences to witness and be inspired by Herzl’s efforts, which granted the Jewish people recognition as a nation among nations. This paved the way for a new era, marked by the Balfour Declaration in 1917 and the eventual founding of the State of Israel. You can watch the film below.

Extremely Rare Jewish Brigade Women’s Recruitment Poster:

The Revolutionary Role of Hebrew Women in WWII and the IDF Women’s Corps

During World War II, 40,000 volunteers from the Hebrew Yishuv stepped forward to fight against Nazi Germany, enlisting in the British Army and the renowned Jewish Brigade—among them were 4,500 women.

The path to women’s enlistment was not without struggle. In 1941, after persistent efforts by the Jewish Agency and leading women’s Zionist organizations—WIZO (Women’s International Zionist Organization) and Hadassah—the British authorities finally granted permission for Jewish women to join the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) and later the Jewish Brigade.

Their courage and commitment not only contributed to the war effort but also sparked a groundbreaking transformation in women’s military service. Upon their return, these pioneering women brought back invaluable experience, laying the groundwork for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Women’s Corps.

The rare poster before you is one of the earliest recruitment calls, urging Hebrew women to step forward and join the ATS in the global struggle against Nazi Germany. Designed in 1941 by the legendary graphic artist Otte Wallish, it declares:

“The recruitment of women for military service was announced—Enlist!”

The bravery of Jewish female soldiers continues to inspire. The return of four Israeli female soldiers from Hamas captivity serves as a powerful reminder of the IDF women’s resilience. The legacy of those early volunteers, who paved the way for women in the IDF, lives on in today’s frontline soldiers. Their heroism—then and now—embodies the unbreakable spirit of the Jewish people.

“The Temple Mount is in Our Hands”

Never-Before-Seen Photography from the Six-Day War and Jerusalem’s Reunification by Dan Porges

The Six-Day War, fought from June 5 to 10, 1967, was a defining moment for Israel and the Jewish people. In just six days of combat, Israel reshaped the political and strategic landscape of the Middle East, securing newfound stability. The war resulted in the erasure of the 1949 armistice lines, bringing territories such as the Sinai Peninsula, the West Bank, the Golan Heights, and a unified Jerusalem under Israeli control—promising enhanced security and a renewed sense of national strength.

The Western Wall and Jerusalem’s Reunification
The war’s most iconic and emotional moment was the return to the Western Wall and the Reunification of Jerusalem. Before the war, Jerusalem’s Old City, including the Western Wall, was under Jordanian control, and Jews were barred from accessing their holiest site for nearly two decades. On June 7, 1967, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) captured East Jerusalem and the Old City, marking the first time in modern history that the Jewish people regained control over their spiritual and national heartland.

Leading to the historic declaration, “The Temple Mount is in our hands.” This powerful event symbolized the fulfillment of the Zionist dream—Jews returning to their ancestral homeland as an independent nation, capable of defending themselves. The moving images of soldiers standing with Rabbi Shlomo Goren in awe and shedding tears at the Western Wall captured the profound connection between modern Israel and Jewish historical continuity.

The reunification of Jerusalem not only restored Jewish access to their sacred sites but also solidified the city’s central role in Israeli national identity. It inspired a wave of unity and pride, reinforcing the belief that Jerusalem must remain the eternal and undivided capital of Israel.

Dan Porges: The Photographer Behind the Lens
These photos were captured by the Israeli-American photographer Dan Porges, renowned for his ability to capture raw human emotion and authenticity, Porges has chronicled some of the most pivotal figures and moments in Israel’s history. His career, which began under the mentorship of Alfred Bernheim, saw him transition from commercial photography in New York to an illustrious career in portraiture upon his return to Israel.

In 1967, Porges documented the Six-Day War with a sharp eye and a deep understanding of the historical moment unfolding before him. His images, both intimate and powerful, encapsulate the tension, relief, and triumph felt by the soldiers and the nation alike. Over the years, his lens has immortalized Nobel Prize winners, musicians, and cultural icons—reflecting his exceptional ability to capture the essence of his subjects and their stories.

Extremely Rare Jabotinsky Legacy Poster: Revisionist “Keren Tel Hai”

Betar Movement Fundraising For Holocaust Survivors, A Message of Hope & Resilience

The Revisionist movement, led by the visionary Zionist leader Ze’ev Jabotinsky, established the Keren Tel Hai (Tel Hai Foundation) in London in 1929 to fund its activities and advance its goals. The foundation began its work following the August 1929 disturbances—a series of violent riots, acts of terrorism, and murders carried out by Arabs in the Land of Israel against the Jewish Yishuv. Its mission was to bolster Hebrew self-defense and provide Zionist youth with education and training in self-reliance and protection.

In 1935, the Beitar Youth Movement initiated the “Hanukkah Project,” a global fundraising campaign to support Jewish settlements in the Land of Israel, assist Holocaust refugees, and establish educational institutions for Beitar members.

This extremely rare poster, issued by the Keren Tel Hai for the 1942 Hanukkah Project depicts a member of the Beitar movement proudly holding the Israeli flag while tearing away a yellow Star of David—the Holocaust’s infamous symbol of Jewish persecution—from the arm of a Jew. In the background, a map of the Land of Israel underscores the poster’s message of hope, resilience, and national aspiration.

The Beitar movement soldiers were the successors of the Jewish Legion, established by Ze’ev Jabotinsky during the First World War. They played a significant role in the Zionist struggle, contributing to the defense of the homeland. Beitar members were instrumental in facilitating illegal immigration (Aliyah Bet) to the Land of Israel during the British Mandate period and served as an inspiration for the soldiers who would later establish the State of Israel.

The phrase “In those days, at this time,” traditionally recited during the lighting of Hanukkah candles, holds deep significance for the Zionist movement. Hanukkah became a potent symbol of the struggle for Jewish independence, inspiring numerous fundraising events. Just as the Hasmoneans of the Second Temple period fought to free themselves from foreign oppression, the Zionist movement sought to break the bonds of exile and restore Jewish sovereignty in the Land of Israel. For Revisionist Zionists, the Hasmoneans embodied the ideal of Jews who stood up for themselves and fought tirelessly for their freedom and future.