feature
learning of the heart
by Chaviva Bluth
continued from page T17
lessons from art
R
;. ecently, students at Akiva Hebrew Day School in Southfield
fed their creativity during a visit from New York artist Yona
Verwer. Her art is inspired by her love for Judaism.
Verwer showed a slideshow of her work, starting with simple objects
and moving to "protection amulets" made for New York landmarks af-
ter the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Finally, she talked of celebrities
making Kabbalah (Jewish mysticism) into a modern-day trend, which
led her to satirize their obsession by creating Jewish-inspired "bling."
She explained that modern society is so set on needing things for
security and protection, such as money and weapons, that we forget all
we really need are our simple necessities and God.
The high school students then
worked on their own art projects
with Judaism as the theme. Shab-
bat, the creation of the world, the
colors of Judaism, the eye of God,
Israel and more emerged.
The artwork was displayed at
Akiva's Yom HaAtzmaut celebra-
tion and will find a home in the
high school hall for all to see.
A few students had dinner with
Verwer the evening before. She New York artist Yona Verwer encourages
told us she is originally from Hol- Akiva 10th-graders Madl Spalter, Rachel
land. She also explained her par- Miller and Shill Wrotslaysky.
ents did not want her to become
an artist because it was not a well-paying job, but she said this made her
want to do art more. When she reached college, she realized she was
now in control of her life, so she decided to give art a shot. Her work
has been in countless museums and on magazines covers.
She left us with some important messages. Follow your dream. It's
important to be happy and do what you love, especially if you'll be do-
ing it your whole life. Second, creativity is endless. It flows everywhere
and can come from anything. Lastly, Judaism is so broad it's not just
Israeli flags and modest clothes; our religion defines
the basic fabric of our being with our behavior, speech
and ideology. This is why it is so important we learn
from Judaism to be the best person we can be. { }
Chaviva Bluth, 15, Is a freshman at Akiva Hebrew Day School
in Southfield.
Laura Ng and Emily Katz go for more supplies on a village road.
by hand, shoveled it into buckets, then poured it onto mud floors. Ten floors
later — bruised hands, sore backs and exhaustion amid the humidity and oc-
casional rain — blood, sweat and NO tears.
The work was laborious, but the unity and congregation triumphed.
Neighbors gathered without self-benefit, but in contributive respect for com-
munal development. Progress became foundation, for both the homes and
mutual comprehension.
At one point, when Emily Katz noticed Dominican children riding a don-
key, she wanted to join the fun. She hopped on. When dismounting, she
slipped, fell and landed on barbed wire. Despite her slightly bloody arm and
humiliation, she went right back to shoveling cement in the hot sun.
Though not as dramatic, we all endured challenges. Emily's "incident" is
the epitome of Jews' work ethic. When we get knocked down, we get right
back up. Despite arduous circumstances and setbacks, we continue fighting
every day. Blood, sweat and NO tears.
We are hoping to bring this mentality back to Detroit. Not many have the
chance to travel to the Dominican Republic and help rebuild houses. We
are extremely lucky. From this life-changing experience, we hope to educate
others in our community about the lives and conditions of others around the
world. Then they will have the knowledge and inspiration to give back and
hopefully the chain will continue. Lives will be saved one at a time. {
Emily Shottenfels, Emily Katz, Liz Nagle and Rob Pasick are students in
the Temple Kol Ami Family Religious School, West Bloomfield. Students
Avery McIntyre, Laura Ng and Evan Pasick also went on the trip.
teen2teen staff •
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Reporters I Chaviva Bluth, Eryn Fox, Molly Goldmeier, Molly Grossman, Elizabeth Kirshner, Ruthie Lehmann, Avi Mendelson, Avielle
Movsas, Stephanie Schulman, Yona Isaacs (Akiva Hebrew Day School, Southfield); Gabriella Ring, Erica Sachse (Berkley); Nechama
Tawil (Beth Jacob, Oak Park); Teddi Cantor, Alexa Eisenberg, Rachel Gorosh, Emily Katz, Lauren Lewis, Emily Schottenfels, Sara
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TT4 teen2teen May 13 2010
(North Farmington); Rob Pasick (Novi); Lily Grier (Orchard Lake Middle, West Bloomfield); Laura Katsnelson, Liz Nagle (Walled Lake
Western); Ben Eilender, Jennifer Finkel, Bridget Labe, Heather Rosenbaum (West Bloomfield); Mackenzie Coden (West Bloomfield
Walnut Creek)
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supervising staff
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