Eva Learns Hebrew (2025) 

Video, approx. 7 mins.

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The work presents the pages from a notebook being turned with a recording of two voices: Idit’s and her mother’s, reading from it. The book originally belonged to Idit’s grandmother Eva Nathan. Having left Germany in 1933 to Jerusalem, she has had to learn an entirely new language, which like many immigrants around her, she never really mastered. Thirty years later, Idit’s mother arrived also as a new immigrant (from Belgium) and the same notebook was used for passing on recipes this time. While the work weaves together two uses, three generations and four languages (German, Hebrew, English and French) - it also binds the minutia of everyday life with moments of great upheaval.

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Special thanks to artist Sarah Wood for editorial support. Audio thanks to Freesound: www.freesound.org 

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Eva Learns Hebrew was first shown as part of Leaving Were The Ones Who Could Not Stay exhibition project, showcased at Wysing Arts Centre in July 2025 and then at Broadway Gallery in Letchworth between 4th Sep- 18th Oct 2025. 

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​The project is supported throughout by Counterpoints’ biennial festival Platforma’25, focused on migration in the East. Additional events with Uncovering Letchworth, METAL Peterborough and Revoluton Arts, Luton, will use the exhibition themes to stimulate conversation and connect (migrant) artists in the region.