In the aftermath of the pivotal events in Israel on Oct. 7, I joined the rest of the Jewish people in a state of profound shock and sadness. Like many others, I started to think of ways to contribute and help my beloved country.
I took my oldest child to go on a personal mission at the end of December to see how we could assist. While meeting with soldiers, visiting evacuees and speaking with families who lost loved ones, we met several people who turned to art as a way of healing. They described how art allows people to create something new and beautiful that wasn’t there before. I learned from them that building something they were proud of was enriching for their mind and soul.
Noriko Weinstock, my friend and fellow Yavneh Academy parent, was interested in joining forces as this perspective reminded her of the Japanese art of “kintsugi” — repairing broken pottery. She felt that we could help fix what broke, even if it was only by a little bit.
After many brainstorming sessions we created IlluminART Israel. The program was designed to foster support for Israel and the creative growth of children. It serves as a platform for children to unleash their artistic talents through Israel-related art. The goal is to instill a sense of Jewish pride despite challenging times by celebrating the childrens’ artistic achievements that reflect the essence of the Jewish state.
“We hope to illuminate Israel through the power of art,” said Weinstock, alluding to the name of the program. “It’s uplifting to witness the love, pride and creativity that radiates from the children.”
Last year’s theme was “Yerushalayim Shel Zahav” (Jerusalem of Gold). One class featured lanterns with an outline of the map of Israel as its centerpiece and a flickering gold light inside. Another session used pottery embedded with tiles to highlight the jeweled tones of the stones of Jerusalem. “We learn how to make amazing projects for Israel. Am Yisrael Chai!” said Alyssa Beer of Teaneck, a fifth grader who is enrolled in the class for the second year along with her third-grade sister Aria.
This year our focus is on the colors of Israel. The children were introduced to the Israeli artist Yair Emmanuel and his vividly colored designs incorporating traditional motifs. They replicated this idea by painting classical Israel symbols onto wood trays. Azariah Buchoff of Fair Lawn, a fourth grader who is taking the class again, said they were “great projects with a great theme. I’m excited to do it again this year!”
We are proud to share that 100% of the proceeds from IlluminART Israel’s first semester were donated to Mosaics by Miriam at www.mosaicsbymiriam.com (“Mosaics By Miriam: Healing Arts,” March 21, 2024) These funds sponsored workshops for evacuated families and communities, some of whose homes were destroyed.
Miriam Gottlieb of Mosaics by Miriam and the Israel Forever Foundation’s Healing Hearts Mosaic Arts program, said, “The families we worked with were thrilled to participate in this special workshop and truly appreciated knowing that people abroad hadn’t forgotten them. The idea of living in a hotel for a year with no end in sight is so difficult to imagine. While the workshop went on, sirens were going off in their home community of Kiryat Shmona and the participants were so upset. The mosaics gave them a productive distraction and hope that one day they will return and hang their projects in their homes. Mosaics also help focus the participants on making something new out of the broken pieces of their current situation.”
In addition to educating and fostering childrens’ love of art, IlluminART Israel allows parents an opportunity to become involved with a project for Israelis who are suffering as a result of the war. Dafna Miller, from Teaneck, said, “We started Evy in IlluminART last year when she was in pre-K and this is her second year in the program. We’re always trying to instill a love for Israel in our kids and especially with everything that’s happened over the last year we’ve been looking for age appropriate ways to connect our young kids to Israel. Evy loves art and this program has been the perfect way for her to enjoy that and connect it to something meaningful. We have her latest piece displayed next to my Shabbat candles and I love that we have it to look at and think of Israel when she and I light candles together.”
Jordana Merkin of Englewood, enrolled her second-grade daughter for another year. She said, “My daughter loves art, so an opportunity for her to express her creativity while connecting to and supporting Israel is especially meaningful.”
Classes are ongoing and more information can be found at www.illuminartisrael.com.
