D. Izraeli’s Memento 1942-1945

This post introduces Dezső (David) Izraeli’s graphic album, Memento 1942-1945, created in Cluj, Romania in 1947. This graphic album was serendipitously discovered in the circulating library of the Ghetto Fighters’ House in Israel, illuminating a forgotten piece of history that bridges artistic expression and historical testimony.

Memento serves as a poignant reminder of the collective trauma experienced by survivors and their struggle to reconstruct a narrative from fragmented memories. With over 100 illustrations, the album encapsulates chaos, fear, and resilience during and after the Holocaust, providing a visual testimony that words sometimes fail to convey. For example, one illustration depicts a family torn apart, visually representing the harsh realities faced by many who lost loved ones.

Memento 1942-1945: A graphic album detailing survival stories from the Holocaust.

Last Page, Memento

Crematorium

Selection

Art as a Vehicle of Personal and Collective Memory

Within Jewish survivor communities, art acted as a vehicle for personal and collective memory. Memento fills essential gaps in our understanding of the post-Holocaust experience. These graphic narratives memorialize the past and engage in ongoing dialogue about memory, identity, and the responsibilities of storytelling.

Illustrated page from Memento 1942-1945 depicting vivid memories from the Holocaust.

Memento