This week, MDS was honored to welcome award-winning Israeli illustrator Hanoch Piven. Piven and Shira Hecht-Koller, education director, Values in Action at M², led a book talk for third graders. Piven and Hecht-Koller co-authored “Dream Big, Laugh Often,” a book about lessons we can learn from biblical heroes. Students were able to hear the inspirations behind Piven’s artwork, which is unique in both form and method. By reinventing the meaning and use of everyday objects he forges associations between these and the subject of his creation.

After learning about the inspirations behind the illustrations and reading the book, students chose their own biblical heroes to bring to life using a variety of objects. Students creatively brought these characters to life in so many ways. Students enjoyed thinking about the lessons from the Torah and how to depict them in this unique way.