(April 22, 2008 - Jerusalem) A new exhibition telling the story of Holocaust survivors in the shaping of Israeli identity will open in Yad Vashem’s Exhibitions Pavilion, marking the 60^th anniversary of the establishment of the State of Israel. My Homeland: Holocaust Survivors in Israel is a multidimensional exhibition that illustrates how their influence affected all aspects of Israeli society.

The year-long exhibition will open on Monday, April 28, 2008, at 11:30 in the presence of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Minister of Liaison between the Government and the Knesset, and Chairperson of the Ministerial Committee for Events Marking 60 Years of Independence Ruhama Avraham Balila, Holocaust survivors, Chairman of the Yad Vashem Council Joseph (Tommy) Lapid, and Chairman of the Yad Vashem Directorate Avner Shalev. Media who wish to attend the opening event must pre-register at 02 6443410/1/2, and arrive at Yad Vashem between 9:00 - 10:00 on Monday, with a valid GPO card.

At the end of WWII, most survivors chose to focus their efforts on rebuilding their lives, and chose to do so in the Land of Israel, the land they called home. Their collective story is one of personal and human victory.

They have left their mark in every field: in building new towns, the army, industry, the economy, law and culture. Painters and graphic artists, poets and writers, athletes and dancers, academics and cultural icons-many were perceived by the public as native-born Israelis. Almost from the start, their influence went beyond the personal realm and impacted the daily life of all Israelis.

"My Homeland: Holocaust Survivors in Israel" is curated by Deputy Director of Yad Vashem’s Museums Division, Yehudit Shendar. Curatorial consultant: Michal Broshi;

Historical Consultant: Prof. Hanna Yablonka.

There will be a special media preview tour in English with the curator, on Sunday, April 27 at 14:00. Please contact the Media Relations Department if you would like to participate: 02 644 3410/2 or media.relations@yadvashem.org.il