Japanese Sushi Girls

Following the October 7, 2023 massacre and the outbreak of the war in Gaza, IDF forces faced a shortage of food and supplies throughout the tumultuous emergency period. Consequently, hundreds of thousands of private citizens gathered and offered assistance – they made donations, gathered supplies, cooked meals, and sent them to the soldiers at the front. This series depicts six Japanese women who decided to make sushi for vegetarian and vegan soldiers.

These women who had married Israelis, settled in Israel and started their families there, chose to stay in Israel during the war, even though the Japanese government sent a plane to bring back Japanese citizens. They made the Japanese national dish as a way to express their solidarity with the society they chose to live in. For two hours, they meticulously layered rice on seaweed, adding cucumber, carrot, omelet, and other toppings. As one woman penned heartfelt messages for the recipients of this personal gift, another packed the sushi. This act of kindness was not merely about feeding the hungry; it was a gesture of love and care – a connection between Japanese and Jewish mothers – expressed through the preparation of food.

The harmonious cooperation among the women was captivating: their synchronized movements, delicate fingers hovering over the seaweed, silent understanding, laughter, conversation, traditional Japanese headcovers, and ironed aprons created a beautiful tableau.

In that brief moment in the small kitchen, the artist sought to capture the emotions, impressions, and awe she felt. Each of the six women, with their unique biographies, life stories, choices, aspirations, fears, hopes, and ambitions, represents a world within herself. They chose to leave their homeland, family, and parents to build a new life in Israel, tying their fate to the artist’s homeland. Their acts of kindness and solidarity exemplify grace, generosity, and charm.