We’re joining our fabulous friends in Jewish progressive blogosphere–JewSchool, Muzzlewatch and hopefully more–in shouting out the launch of the Breaking the Silence Exhibit in the U.S. this weekend in Philadelphia. The exhibit will include photographs and video testimonies from Israeli soldiers who served in occupied territories. Their arrival to the U.S. will hopefully continue to push our communities in hearing the voices of young Israelis who are presenting first hand accounts of their experience as soldiers in the occupation.

From JTA Breaking News:

Yehuda Shaul, the young soldier who launched the exhibit in 2004, spoke with reporters Wednesday in a conference call.

“People back home in Israel have no idea what we are doing [in the territories],” he said. “We wanted to bring Hebron to Tel Aviv.”

These stories will not only highlight the human rights abuses and devastation of the occupation, but as Ben says so well on Jewschool, it will push all of us around our assumptions, challenges, and stories we tell–and actions we take–in wanting our own communities to not just see what is happening, but actively take it in to build will to take action that isn’t based in fear or defensive response, but in a just resolution for all, and a long overdue end to the occupation of Palestine.

The exhibit will be up in Philly starting Saturday, February 9th:

Philadelphia: February 9 - February 24
The Rotunda, 4014 Walnut Street, Philadelphia
Opening Night Reception on Saturday, February 9 at 7 pm

If you’re also covering this exhibit, or it’s come to a town/city/area near you, let us know, and share your thoughts with us on this tour.

Check out the video below, featuring Avichai Sharon and Noam Chayut, both veterans of the Israeli Defense Forces and members of Breaking the Silence.