Photo courtesy of Skirball team member
On view beginning October 1, 2024
At the Skirball Cultural Center, we honor memory. Whatever your loss, whomever you mourn, we invite you to join us in commemorating the tragic events of October 7, 2023, and the ensuing conflict.
FREE during normal Museum hours.
For centuries, Jews have paid their respects to deceased loved ones by placing simple rocks—sometimes called visitation stones—at their gravesites. This custom is thought to have originated from the ancient practice of protecting a burial site and remembering its location by marking it with a pile of stones—a precursor to tombstones.
Located along the pathway near the front entrance in the Arroyo Garden, we invite you to hold a stone and take a moment to remember and reflect, then place your stone among the others collected here. These stones hold the memories of all those who have visited here before you. After you leave, they will hold the memory of your touch as well.
This visitation stone installation has been made possible thanks to generous support from Susan and Alan Wohl and the Bob and Nita Hirsch Family Foundation. It began as part of the Sustain exhibition in 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic that killed tens of thousands of Angelenos and millions more worldwide. It was reactivated in 2024, in the wake of the October 7th attacks in Israel and the war in Gaza.
A yahrzeit candle, also known as a memorial candle, is traditionally lit to honor the memory of a deceased loved one. In keeping with Jewish tradition, this candle is kindled in grief and remembrance on the anniversary of their passing.
Since the October 7th terrorist attacks on Israel and the subsequent war in Gaza, many in our community have suffered immense loss. We share in that pain. We draw strength from one another. We still hope for peaceful coexistence.
The yahrzeit candle will be on view from October 1–30, 2024.
