"Second Childhood"

A tribute to resilience, remembrance, and hope: an exhibition born from a Holocaust survivor's personal journey, inaugurated in a ceremony that also marked 600 days since October 7

 

Schneider Children's held an emotional and inspiring opening ceremony for the exhibition - "Second Childhood" - a unique artistic initiative by 89-year-old Holocaust survivor Mina Kupferberg. The exhibition features dozens of handmade miniature dollhouses that Mina lovingly crafted over three decades and donated to the children of Schneider Children's.

The event took place exactly 600 days after the October 7 massacre. It opened with a powerful prayer for the return of the 58 hostages still held in Gaza, led by Rabbi Shlomo Katz, Rabbi of the Shirat David community in Efrat. This was followed by heartfelt words from Rabbi Doron Perez, father of the late Daniel Perez, whose body is still held by Hamas. Rabbi Perez also serves as Chairman of the World Mizrachi movement, to which Mizrachi Canada belongs - a key partner in bringing the exhibition to life, along with the Our Children Foundation. Their words reflected both deep personal and national pain, as well as a spirit of hope, resilience, and unity emerging from a place of fracture.

Additional speakers included Dr. David Kupferberg, son of Mina and Minel, who shared the family's personal story and connection to Schneider Children's; Dr. Efrat Bron-Harlev, CEO of Schneider Children's; and Hilit Gilad, Director of the Our Children Foundation. Schneider Children's Medical Center and the Our Children Foundation thanked the Kupferberg family by presenting them with a commemorative plaque, which read:

“With heartfelt gratitude to the dear Kupferberg family, whose life of generosity is a source of inspiration. We are thankful for the opportunity to know your story and be part of the dream of finding a home for your dollhouses. Your meaningful and generous gift enables us to enrich the lives of Schneider Children's patients with something beyond medical care. Thank you for building a world out of the fragments of a stolen childhood – one that continues to touch countless hearts, including those of the next generation."

Mina (89) was born and raised in Romania during World War II. Her childhood was brutally interrupted, as fear, loss, and survival replaced toys, stories, and play. Decades later, from this place of rupture, she found a path to reclaim the lost time – through the world of miniatures. She has built dozens of dollhouses, each telling a different story - some inspired by memories that might have been, others reflecting her capacity to dream again.

Since 1994, this hobby became a passion, fully supported by her husband Minel (94), who designed, installed, and helped bring each tiny scene to life. Together, they created a magical collection of miniature worlds infused with personal memories, imagined moments, and family symbols.

Five years ago, Mina and Minel immigrated to Israel from Canada. Alongside their deep Zionism and love for the country, a new dream was born: to find a permanent home for their collection - one that would inspire and delight children. That dream has now come true.

The exhibition, curated by project director Eiran Gazit and interior designer Mali Finz, is permanently displayed in the glass building lobby at Schneider Children's. It offers hospitalized children and visitors an experience of beauty, imagination, and hope - straight from the heart of a little girl who once knew sorrow and chose to turn it into light.