Chesed knows no bounds nor age limitations. Ariella Sara Kantor of Passaic, 14, is a freshman at Yeshivat Frisch, where she is enrolled in the Art Track. This year’s project under the direction of art instructor Aliza Winslow is to create an artistic background landscape for the Asher Yatzar bracha, the bracha through which we pray to Hashem for the proper functioning of our bodies so that we can fully enjoy the gifts of life that we have been granted. Ariella has been enamored with art since she was a young child, experimenting with all kinds of paints and clay. She selected the Art Track to expand her experience with different artistic expressions and media.
The oldest of three younger sisters, Ariella experienced firsthand the power of chesed when her mother was giving birth to her youngest sister during COVID. Due to some complications, mother Anna Fefer was hospitalized for an extensive period. During that time, Ariella and her two younger sisters were the recipients of an outpouring of chesed from local neighbors, and even strangers, who provided meals for the family as well as many toys, games and art supplies.
Remembering how meaningful these gifts were to her as an 11-year-old as well as to her younger sisters, Ariella decided to pay back through a chesed project of her own, which she is calling “Art for Kids.” With the assistance of her mother, contact was made with Chai Lifeline, Chai 4 Ever and Bikur Cholim of Passaic, who together created a fundraising platform for the chesed.
As it is being rolled out its initial foray, the goal of the chesed is to create 24 attractive baskets filled with art supplies of all types including various types of paints and clay. At approximately $50 per basket, the monetary objective is $1,200. So far, close to $400 has been raised. Hopefully, by December 15, the baskets will be ready for packing and by the first day of Chanukah, for distribution. Through the partnering organizations, young hospital patients will be designated as recipients as well as families coping with the illness of a family member.
An additional component of the chesed as projected by Ariella is a Zoom presentation for the participants on the use of the art supplies for creating projects. This online workshop will be conducted by the teen herself, who is excited at the prospect of interacting with children who are going through difficult periods and could use the sessions to focus on enjoyable activities. “Bringing joy to children who are undergoing difficult times is surely at the top of the list of chasadim!” shared Ariella.
Extremely proud of her daughter’s initiative and fully supportive of the project, Fefer commented, “It has been such a challenging year for the Jewish community with the increasing antisemitism, that I am grateful that we can direct our attention to something positive and spread a little light.”
To contribute to the “Art for Kids” chesed so that they can reach their goal of Chanukah, go to
https://givebutter.com/ARTforKIDS or scan the QR code.
