September 2022 Portrait of the Month — Dora Rivkina

Dora Rivkina

This month we are featuring a portrait of Dora Rivkina. Dora was extremely brave; at 19 years old she joined a resistance movement called the partisans. As a member of this group, she fought and died defying the Nazis. This portrait was created at a workshop for high school students who were similar in age to Dora when she joined the resistance which offered a powerful connection for them as they learned about her.

Though her story ends very sadly, her courage has touched and inspired many. Students around the world have drawn Dora's portrait and reflected on the experience of remembering through art:

“I think I will remember how it felt to draw someone who suffered so much to continue on with her life, but didn't have the chance to survive.”
— Anastasia V.

"It was something I've never experienced before. It was really interesting to look at the little girl and try to put myself in her shoes.”
— Demi K.

“It was a really interesting and new experience for me. You tend to ask yourself what kind of thoughts went through their head.”
—Ryan C.